SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
By Helen Hetrick
As temperatures continue to drop, the trees look bare, and the sun seems to appear for only a few hours every day, it's not uncommon to start to feel sad, lonely, or unmotivated. Sometimes this is called “winter blues”—essentially when the general population feels gloomy during these cold months—however, when this feeling starts to become more dire and has a greater effect on daily lives, it is better diagnosed as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or simply seasonal depression.
SAD is a disorder that begins to affect individuals in the late fall to early winter and can last for several months. Its effects range from minor inconveniences, like trouble sleeping, to much more prominent dangers such as suicidal thoughts. Seasonal depression shares many symptoms with major depressive disorder: changes in appetite, mood swings, losing interest in usual activities, and feelings of being unwanted or worthless. No matter what age, SAD can take a serious toll on a person's ability to function in their everyday life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health1, the possible symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are as follows:
Feelings of depression through a majority of days
Loss of interest in usual activities
Change in appetite or weight
Low energy
Sluggish or agitated
Trouble with sleep
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling hopeless or worthless
While there is no “cure” for seasonal affective disorder, there are a variety of treatments to help deal with the effects. One of the more successful treatments is called light therapy. Essentially, the person suffering from the disorder is exposed to artificial sunlight for a set amount of time during the day. It is meant to replicate sunlight and has been proven to cause a beneficial change in mood. In fact, the New York Times reported that according to a study done over the course of four weeks, 61% of people saw that their symptoms were significantly reduced or disappeared altogether after the use of light treatment2.
Seasonal affective disorder is not nearly as uncommon as you may think—around 5% of the United States population has been diagnosed with SAD2. The most important tactic to deal with this annual slump is self care. Make sure that you drink enough water, eat healthy, and exercise consistently to help improve your mood and keep you physically healthy. Follow a schedule to help you stay on top of everything life throws at you. During these tough weeks it may be hard to get the motivation you need to do your everyday activities, but it is important to keep in mind that by keeping up with the work you need to do, you can notably reduce the amount of stress you experience. Whether it be with family or friends, it is important to have a strong support system to help you through depressing times and into happier days.
If you are experiencing SAD symptoms, the best immediate course of action is to visit a licensed professional. Even if you just feel like you’re in a slump—not everyone who experiences emotional dips in the winter is suffering from SAD—a doctor can help you find the best course of action for improving your mood in your everyday life. If you are suffering from suicidal thoughts, seek professional help immediately.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
For more information on seasonal affective disorder visit:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
Sources:
“Seasonal Affective Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed January 13, 2022. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder.
Caron, Christina. “How to Fend off Winter Depression.” The New York Times. The New York Times, September 30, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/30/well/mind/seasonal-affective-disorder-help.html.