Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Do the winter months get you down more than you think they should? If so, you might have seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer. Depressive episodes linked to the summer can occur but are much less common than winter episodes of SAD. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.
SAD usually starts in young adulthood and is more common in women than men. Some people with SAD have mild symptoms and feel out of sorts or irritable. Others have worse symptoms that interfere with relationships and work.
Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:
Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:
Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:
The causes of SAD are unknown, but research has found some biological clues:
Take signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder seriously. As with other types of depression, SAD can get worse and lead to problems if it's not treated. These can include:
Ways to Deal with Depression During the Gloomy Days of Winter
Support from family and close friends along with strong methods of coping can make the road to recovery easier.
When Should I Call my Doctor?
If you feel depressed, fatigued, and irritable the same time each year, and these feelings seem to be seasonal in nature, you may have a form of SAD. Talk openly with your doctor about your feelings. Follow the recommendations for lifestyle changes and treatment.
Treatment can help prevent complications, especially if SAD is diagnosed and treated before symptoms get bad.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer. Depressive episodes linked to the summer can occur but are much less common than winter episodes of SAD. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.
SAD usually starts in young adulthood and is more common in women than men. Some people with SAD have mild symptoms and feel out of sorts or irritable. Others have worse symptoms that interfere with relationships and work.
Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:
- Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having low energy
- Having problems with sleeping
- Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
- Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:
- Oversleeping
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Tiredness or low energy
Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Agitation or anxiety
The causes of SAD are unknown, but research has found some biological clues:
- People with SAD may have trouble regulating serotonin.
- People with SAD may overproduce the hormone melatonin. Darkness increases production of melatonin, which regulates sleep. As winter days become shorter, melatonin production increases, leaving people with SAD to feel sleepier and more lethargic.
- People with SAD also may produce less Vitamin D. Vitamin D is believed to play a role in serotonin activity.
Take signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder seriously. As with other types of depression, SAD can get worse and lead to problems if it's not treated. These can include:
- Social withdrawal
- School or work problems
- Substance abuse
- Other mental health disorders such as anxiety or eating disorders
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Ways to Deal with Depression During the Gloomy Days of Winter
Support from family and close friends along with strong methods of coping can make the road to recovery easier.
- Volunteer - Giving back to the community can boost your mood and satisfaction.
- Exercise - On a sunny, cold day, bundle up with a thick jacket, sweater and comfortable shoes and go for a nature walk. Embrace the small things around you
- Read - If the weather is too bad to go outside, reading is a great indoor activity to feel better. Reading books stimulates your thinking.
- Be Kind to Yourself - Self-care and self-love are always important to keep in mind when faced with depression. Be easy on yourself and try to let go of small things that stress you out or bring you down.
- Journal - You can journal as much or as little as you want. Journaling is a way to release your thoughts on to the paper without judgment.
- Stay Healthy and Hydrated - As always, being healthy is very important throughout the year. Eating healthy and staying hydrated during the cold months can be challenging, but your body needs water to function properly so staying hydrated is crucially important.
- Join A Peer Support Group - A big part of depression is isolation. It is important to surround yourself with the people who help you feel connected.
When Should I Call my Doctor?
If you feel depressed, fatigued, and irritable the same time each year, and these feelings seem to be seasonal in nature, you may have a form of SAD. Talk openly with your doctor about your feelings. Follow the recommendations for lifestyle changes and treatment.
Treatment can help prevent complications, especially if SAD is diagnosed and treated before symptoms get bad.
