What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
As we move rapidly into the winter season, it’s worth calling attention to something that affects millions of Americans each year. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that, as the name suggests, is seasonal rather than year-round.
Symptoms of SAD generally begin to emerge in the late fall and early winter, lasting until spring and summer. Common symptoms resemble traditional depression symptoms including:
low energy and fatigue
feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness
loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
changes in appetite and weight gain
sleep problems (usually sleeping too much)
difficulty concentrating or making decisions
social withdrawal
What makes seasonal affective disorder… seasonal?
Most medical conditions don’t care about the time of year, so what makes SAD different? These factors are thought to contribute to the onset of symptoms:
Reduced Sunlight, affecting our circadian rhythm (biological clock) and disrupting sleep and mood
Reduced Serotonin, resulting from less sunlight, ultimately affects mood regulation
Increased Melatonin, caused by longer winter nights, causing excessive sleepiness and fatigue
There are several risk factors to look out for! Women are more likely to experience SAD, although men’s symptoms may be more severe. Also, risk increases for young adults and those living farther from the equator (where winter days are shorter and darker).
The good news is that there are lots of ways to treat these symptoms. Think you or someone you know might be affected by SAD? I can get you connected with mental health professionals who can help—don’t hesitate to reach out!