Seasonal affective disorder

What is seasonal affective disorder 

Seasonal affective disorder also known as ‘SAD’ affects your mental health seasonally. Most people are affected in the winter. It is different from having winter blues. Winter blues is the feeling of sadness during the colder seasons but still being able to do daily chores such as cooking an evening meal or cleaning the house. It usually means you are so depressed you are unable to do simple things, like cooking and cleaning. Your hygiene may decline. 

SAD can impact all parts of a person’s life. It can also impact school relationships and your sense of self-worth. While most people who suffer from it find it hard to find motivation to do tasks in life such as going to work or even cooking dinner in the evening, it is important to try to get outside and exercise as doing these things will help combat the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.  

Unfortunately, seasonal affective disorder is common in the UK as it can affect up to 20,000. It can mainly affect anyone within the ages of 18-30. 

It is estimated that 75% of women suffer with seasonal affective disorder, compared to only 25% of men. 

Symptoms

Although SAD is more likely to affect a person in the winter it is also possible to affect an individual in the summer as well, the symptoms are different in both winter and summer. SYMPTOMS in the winter can consist of  

• overeating,  
• unexpected weight gain 
• sleeping more than usual  
• depression 
• suicidal thoughts. 
• decreased sex drive  

Symptoms in the summer are reverse and can be 

• loss of appetite, 
• unexpected weight loss 
• insomnia and irritability  
• feeling sad or guilty 

The reason a person may develop SAD is because they are not getting enough sunlight, causing your body to lower its amount of serotonin in your cells. Serotonin is a chemical produced in your central nervous system that contributes to feelings of happiness. 

What is the cause of seasonal affective disorder? 

Seasonal affective disorder still has no conclusive cause, but there are many aspects as to why you could have it, reasons can include your internal bodily changes due to seasonal changes. A vitamin D deficiency, which means that your body hasn’t received a lot of vitamin D during the warmer weather. In hotter weather, your body turns UV-B rays from the sun into vitamin D. Genetics also can have a role in a person developing it if a family member has SAD, you are more likely to develop it than someone whose family doesn’t suffer from SAD. Gender also plays a role. Women are more likely to have seasonal affective disorder than men. 

SAD can also affect individuals that live further away from the equator because those who live closer to the equator have two seasons of dry and wet weather, those that live further from the equator have four seasons winter, spring, summer, and fall. Another cause for SAD is the increase in melatonin in your body. Melatonin is a hormone in your body, and it peaks during the darker hours of the day and reduces during light hours. High melatonin levels make you sleepier, so because of the winter seasons having darker hours, you will become sleepier. Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally produced in the brain and increases your sleep levels. Although seasonal affective disorder normally disappears once the season changes, it is likely to come back again once the season comes back the following year without self-care or treatment. 

Self-care and treatment 

Self-care tips for someone who suffers with SAD are  

• to get as much sunlight as possible.  
• Making your environment as light and airy as possible using natural light.  
• Exercise  
• Sitting close to a window to gather as much natural light as possible 
• Practice yoga or meditation. 
• Eating a well-balanced diet 
• Practising music or art 
• Light therapy 

Light therapy lamps can help with seasonal affective disorder because they create a mimic of the suns natural light without the harmful UV rays that come from the sun. 

Sometimes you may need a little more help than just self-care. Treatments are usually a step up from self-care and may include medication or a referral to a specialist in your diagnosis. Treatments for seasonal affective disorder may include: 

• Cognitive behavioural therapy 
• Counselling  
• Antidepressants 
• Light therapy 

Diagnosing seasonal affective disorder 

Getting a diagnosis for SAD is a straightforward process. It involves going to your GP. Your GP will ask many questions to check your mental health. These questions could involve your mood, your lifestyle, sleeping habits, eating habits, whether your symptoms prevent you from doing your daily activities, and family history as seasonal affective disorder is genetic.  

Is there a difference between SAD and depression? 

SAD can affect you in only one season. Depression can affect you all year round. Putting on weight and excessive sleeping are some effects. Depression makes you lose weight and sleep, causing sleep deprivation. SAD is not as long lasting as depression. It has slightly different treatments to seasonal affective disorder. Light therapy can help ease the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Even with all the differences it is still part of the depression group due to the symptoms you show.