Seasonal Affective Disorder
Have you ever found yourself feeling depressed during the holidays and wondering “How can I be sad during the times that most people look forward to?”
If this has happened to you, you may have been experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD is a type of depression that occurs during the transition between fall and winter. Due to the dissipation of sunlight during this time, biochemical changes of the brain can bring about seasonal affective disorder.
Thankfully, the spring thaw and summer sun can help this disorder to “wear off,” but it is likely to occur again when fall/winter inevitably return. In a smaller percentage of cases, seasonal affective disorder can drastically alter how a person feels and how they deal with everyday tasks.
What Causes SAD?
A person’s geographic location and the weather both play a significant role in the likelihood of them experiencing SAD. At the equinox, the sun’s rays shine most directly on the equator. Since sunbeams are more common around the equator, an individual's chances of developing SAD decrease the closer in proximity they are to it.
Some other factors include :
Gender: Females are four times more likely to get SAD than males.
Age: While SAD does and can affect people of all ages, it is most common for SAD to occur during the ages 18 to 30.
Existing Disorders: Having previous and/or current disorders such as bipolar, bipolar II and major depressive disorder can increase the likelihood of developing SAD.
What Are Typical Symptoms of SAD?
Seasonal affective disorder impacts every individual differently, but these are some of the most common symptoms people face:
- Depressed mood
- Feelings of hopelessness / worthlessness
- Sleep problems
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Sleeping too much
- Withdrawing from social activities
- Weight gain
These symptoms often appear in multiples, and deeply affect an individual's mood and energy level.
Why Do Some People Develop SAD, and Others Don’t?
The reason sunlight is such a major determining factor in seasonal affective disorder is because it directly affects the biochemical makeup of the brain. About five percent of adults in the U.S. experience SAD, and it typically lasts about 40% of the year.
A study from the University of Copenhagen found that the neurotransmitter serotonin is affected directly by sunlight.
The brain releases a greater amount of serotonin in the summer months as compared to the winter. The amount of serotonin in the brain is directly correlated with feelings of happiness.
Without supplementation, vitamin D production also has a direct correlation with sunlight intake. If someone has a vitamin d deficiency, it has been shown to affect levels of serotonin.
Finally, melatonin is another important chemical for wellbeing that is affected by light. This hormone helps regulate an individual's sleep pattern and can increase as a result of an increase in darkness.
With winter months producing less sunlight, this time of year can inherently cause an increase in melatonin. This explains why people often experience a decrease in energy and even oversleeping.
How SAD Can Alter Decision-Making
When people with seasonal affective disorder feel like there is no hope they may seek other alternatives. These alternatives are often used to either increase stimulation for energy or to try and completely escape the depressive symptoms.
This escape often comes from the substance abuse of opiates and opioids or a mix of drug and alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, these methods ultimately worsen SAD symptoms.
Considering the fact that SAD can last up to 40% of the year, it’s not uncommon for people to develop a substance use disorder (SUD) in addition to their seasonal affective condition, that lasts even after symptoms start to fade in the warmer months. This is why it is imperative to seek help as soon as possible.
Treatment For SAD
Many individuals struggling with seasonal affective disorder develop a feeling of hopelessness, but there is hope.
There are even a plethora of methods to treat SAD which anyone can start immediately at home. Treatment for SAD is often divided into three main categories:
Phototherapy
The purpose of this treatment is to increase sunlight exposure. Since this can be done immediately and from (almost) anywhere, it’s important to make it a daily routine if possible. An example of this would be taking a walk every sunny day. Even just a 20 minute stroll can make a huge difference. . If you can’t make yourself go out to walk then start with something simple like opening up the blinds in your house to increase light.
Medication
Drugs can be prescribed to individuals with SAD, these are usually antidepressants. Other drugs that are serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be used to effectively treat SAD.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that is often used to treat depression and substance abuse. CBTl involves “talk therapy,” where the individual works alongside a counselor to discuss issues and how to approach them over several sessions.
Help With Seasonal Affective Disorder
You are not alone in this fight. Treatment options are viable and effective against depressive disorders. If you or a loved one are suffering from seasonal affective disorder, reach out to us today. Our intensive outpatient program is designed to help those that aren't a good fit for inpatient treatment, but still have intense mental health battles to fight.