Blow away your winter blues; As long winter nights draw in, moods darken for SAD sufferers.

Byline: By LYNN JOLLY

THE clocks go back an hour on Sunday and those at risk of suffering the winter blues have been warned to take action now.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) plagues people who cannot cope with early nights and dark mornings.

Their temporary depression is caused by a lack of sunlight, which we need to regulate our body clocks.

Symptoms include sadness, a drop in sex drive, increased appetite and weight, low energy levels and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

Gloomy Irish folk have been urged to keep SAD at bay especially as we move from autumn into winter, which is the worst time of the year for sufferers.

Around 300,000 people in Ireland currently suffer from depression but many hide their symptoms and never get help.

Irish voluntary group Aware helps people battle the blues.

Yesterday an Aware spokeswoman said: "There are no figures for the number of people suffering SAD because it is a relatively new condition and was only recognised 20 years ago. But it is something that people in Ireland need to look out for, especially with the clocks changing to give us fewer hours of sunlight.

"Christmas and January are the worst times for symptoms and people should go to their doctor for a proper diagnosis."

Light therapy, which involves sitting in front of a special light box for a few hours each day to boost your mood, is one way to relieve SAD.

HEADACHES, a lack of patience, anxiety and cravings for sugary and starchy foods can be eased by using a light box because the UV light regulates the body clock and hormones.

Long working hours have been partially blamed for a hike in the number of SAD sufferers because many of us now arrive and leave the office when it is dark.

Modern workplaces, with artificial lighting and few windows, are also a factor because employees might not see the sun from the start of the working week until the end.

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WINTER RAYS: A light box' DARK CLOUDS: Experts now recognise SAD as a depressive condition Pictures posed