Seasonal Affective Disorder

In this month's article of her psychology column, Allison Robinson describes what Seasonal Affective Disorder is, how it affects people, and strategies of coping.

Feeling SAD?

By Allison Robinson

Every fall and winter, millions of people experience depression that they had not felt during spring and summer. For these people, the change of the season from summer to fall triggers Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a diagnosed form of depression that is related to the change of the seasons, most commonly in younger women. Many affected by SAD are already diagnosed with another mood disorder, according to psychologists at Cleveland Clinic. Usually, these other diagnoses include major and bipolar depression and schizophrenia. There are multiple triggers of SAD. According to Sandhya Pruthi, M.D. at the Mayo Clinic, the disorder is set off by changes in the circadian rhythm and chemical imbalances in the brain. Both of these causes are brought about by a lack of sun. The circadian rhythm, or the internal biological clock, as explained by journalist Adam Felman with Medical News Today, is altered with the change of the seasons. As the sun comes out less, the clock is disrupted. Once their internal rhythm is off, many people present moody behaviors.

Serotonin, or “the key hormone that stabilizes...mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness” according to Irina Bancos, M.D., is the main chemical that becomes unbalanced with the changes in sunlight. Most people with SAD already have less serotonin activity, and since sunlight helps regulate serotonin, the lack of sun can make it much worse. Further, sunlight produces Vitamin D, which boosts levels of serotonin. However, if the lack of sun creates a deficiency in Vitamin D, serotonin levels are unable to increase at a normal level. Another chemical that is deeply affected by low serotonin levels is melatonin. Overproduction of melatonin is common with SAD, which can cause sluggish and sleepy moods.

https://www.wellmark.com/blue/healthy-living/get-the-treatment-you-need-for-seasonal-affective-disorder-sad

https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/features/a-guide-to-seasonal-affective-disorder-sad

Seasonal Affective Disorder is more than just ‘the rainy day blues.’ Most symptoms overlap with those of both major depressive and bipolar disorders. Sadness, anxiety, and extreme fatigue during fall and winter are frequently seen in those affected by SAD. Professional healthcare providers consider these patterns of symptoms and diagnose individuals accordingly. They treat SAD with phototherapy, or light therapy, which emits a non-ultraviolet light that is 20 times brighter than regular indoor light. It is also treated through selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications. There are ways for SAD to be partially or fully prevented. Healthcare professionals at Cleveland Clinic suggest spending time outside daily, eating a well-balanced diet, regularly exercising, staying social, and seeking medical help.

For anyone experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, please know that millions of others understand how difficult it can be. Nobody should suffer alone. If necessary, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss the next steps towards feeling better. If anybody is struggling, here are some resources that might help:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741

SAMHSA: 800-662-4357 (HELP)

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