Chegg Guided Solutions for Inquiry into Life 13th Edition: Chapter 20.6

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  • Step 1 of 4

    Seasonal affective disorder happens when the days start getting shorter and there isn’t enough light to accomplish everything before it gets dark. Many people are affected by this and often become depressed, often to the point where they are unable to function. While there is research into this area, it is unknown if it is a psychological or chemical disorder.

  • Step 2 of 4

    As the days get shorter, many people start to miss the fun they had during the summer months and cannot wait for it to return next year. There is also an association between the lack of daylight and the onset of the poor weather and cold conditions that most people do not like. As a result, they may get the feelings of depression associated with seasonal affective disorder. In this case, it can be suggested that the onset is psychological.

  • Step 3 of 4

    The other side of the explanation is related to the production of melatonin. This chemical tends to be produced in higher concentrations at nighttime. Since the winter months have more darkness, it is possible the brain associates this with night and produces melatonin, even if it is only 5 pm. This could result in people feeling sleepy earlier than their usual bedtime. Over the season, this could lead to the onset of seasonal affective disorder from a chemical standpoint.

  • Step 4 of 4

    Whatever the cause of seasonal affective disorder, the amount of daylight is a direct contributor.

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