Researchers know the weather and lack of light affect our mood and attitudes. Many people report a gradual sense of feeling down in the winter. The “winter blues” are actually a recognized condition called seasonal affective disorder.
Reportedly, roughly 5% of the population suffers from seasonal depression6. There are many forms of depression. Yet, when people are unwell, seasonal depression is rarely considered the cause.
It is important to understand this disorder. Knowing the symptoms and causes of may help combat its negative feelings.
Curious to see if you may be experiencing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter months? This test may serve you as a valuable assessment.
Curious to see if you may be experiencing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder in the summer months? This test may serve you as a valuable assessment.
As a form of depression, seasonal affective disorder is a “major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern.” This means people with this condition experience mood disruptions. Lethargy and sadness are often felt like other forms of depression.
There is a difference between seasonal and major depression. Seasonal depression symptoms get triggered by the fall and winter months often. These symptoms can get even worse when there is less daylight.
It is common for most people to feel like they have less energy during the darker winter months. Seasonal depression causes more profound changes. It affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and activities.
Seasonal depression most often gets triggered by the colder months. Sometimes people experience it during spring and summer. This less common form is “summer-pattern” season affective disorder.
A biochemical imbalance in the brain causes negative symptoms of this disorder. Scientists know that less daylight triggers biological shifts within our bodies. Our circadian rhythm is our internal clock and is responsible for regulating hormones12.
These hormones control the sleep cycle and other biological processes. These include metabolic processes that control the body’s energy balance. Depression sometimes occurs when the circadian rhythm becomes disrupted and cannot correct itself.
Research is unclear on all the causes of this depression. However, there is helpful seasonal affective disorder treatment. Psychologists and researchers report that 10% of depression diagnoses are seasonal affective disorder4.
People in northern areas are more prone to experiencing seasonal depression than others.
Clinical depression shows up as an underlying state of being. While a recurrent pattern characterizes seasonal depression. It shows up for roughly four to five months of the year.
The symptoms include those found in major depression. Some symptoms are more commonly found in winter seasonal depression. Others only show up in summer-pattern depression10.
Symptoms that are common in fall and winter seasonal affective disorder include hypersomnia2. Hypersomnia occurs when a person oversleeps during daylight hours. A person with SAD that occurs in the winter may experience trouble staying awake.
Usually, a person with hypersomnia also has low energy and unclear thoughts.
Cravings for carbohydrates are also common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Carbs give the body a form of instant energy, so when the overall system feels taxed, the body craves them. Carbs also stimulate “feel-good” hormones, another reason why they get craved during depression5.
Weight gain is a side effect of the combination of carbohydrate cravings and lack of energy. The body stores unused carbohydrate energy as fat to use at a later time.
Seasonal depression causes a person to feel lethargic. This may cause them to neglect their physical exercise often. Eating sweet foods, sleeping more, and not exercising can make depression symptoms worse.
Feeling lethargic also causes withdrawal from social settings. This is a circular effect. As people become more isolated, they often feel more depressed.
People diagnosed with summer-pattern seasonal depression also usually experience sleep disruption. This symptom usually appears as insomnia rather than oversleeping. Restlessness and feelings of agitation are also common.
Other symptoms of this disorder include a poor appetite which can lead to weight loss. People with SAD in the summer months can also experience a heightened state of anxiety.
There is evidence that violent episodes are more likely to occur in this form of depression13. Research shows this may affect people living with bipolar disorder more frequently.
While these are similarities, clinical depression is different than seasonal. Clinical depression isn’t triggered by daylight changes. It is persistent throughout the year.
Seasonal affective disorder shows up in almost predictable patterns based on the seasons. The criteria for seasonal depression does not mean feelings of sadness in winter. It must present during specific times of the year.
Often there are events in a person’s life that trigger depressive episodes.
These may include stressful winter holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. Holidays increase thoughts about relationships with friends and family. This may increase stressful feelings.
Just because an event triggers a fall or winter reoccurring depressive episode, does not make it seasonal depression1. Some depressive symptoms occur as situational or temporary depression.
This form of depression is more common in younger people and those who live in colder climates. Summer-pattern depression is more common for those who live closer to the equator. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder than men3.
Research suggests a higher risk for seasonal depression in people who also have a mood disorder diagnosis. This includes major depression or bipolar disorder.
A family history that includes seasonal depression or other forms of depression can increase the risk of developing Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Evidence shows low levels of vitamin D increase the risk for seasonal affective disorder. Vitamin D is produced in the body when it is exposed to UV rays and can increase serotonin levels7. Serotonin influences energy levels and the experience of happiness.
Low vitamin D levels are common in North America with the wide use of sunscreen. Even the lowest SPF levels block vitamin D production. Boosting vitamin D production by supplementing through diet may help when using sunscreen.
It is important to reach out for professional help if symptoms of any form of depression are present. A healthcare provider will recommend or refer you to a mental health specialist. D’Amore Mental Health offers reliable and user-friendly self-assessment tests.
Questionnaires provide information for diagnosis. Trained experts in the field of mental disorders create the questionnaires. They consult the patient about their emotional and physical symptoms. There are a few criteria needed to receive a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder.
Mental health treatments are vast. There are many options. Personalized treatment suits an individual’s interests, personality type, and diagnosis needs.
Treatment for seasonal affective disorder is different from other mood disorders. This is because it is dependent on daylight levels and the seasons.
Light therapy is the most popular and effective treatment. This treatment uses a specialized lamp that mimics sunlight. Evidence shows this light triggers the positive effects within the body that are lacking due to low light levels.
A treatment lightbox must provide at least 10,000 lux of light9. It also needs to emit as little UV light as possible to avoid harmful rays. Specialists recommend using the lightbox when first waking up in the morning for 20 minutes.
Afternoon or evening use of the lightbox might cause insomnia. People with diabetes or eye issues should consult with their health practitioner before using a lightbox. As well as people with bipolar disorder since increased light may trigger manic episodes.
A medical specialist might feel seasonal affective disorder is best treated with medication. An anti-depressant works by regulating the serotonin levels within the body. As stated before, light levels and vitamin D intake affect serotonin.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy shows promising signs for treatment. Sometimes people refer to this treatment as talk therapy. While research shows light therapy provides benefits, it does not work for everyone.
Behavior therapy works by discovering negative thought patterns and actions. Once these patterns are recognized, a therapist helps change the negative cycle. This treats the depressive symptoms.
Working with a professional also helps keep the patient accountable to their treatment. This includes scheduling physical activities and creating a plan that works best for them.
Combing behavior therapy with other treatments is common. Using medication, diet changes, and light therapy may offer new solutions.
Preventing the first episode of seasonal affective disorder is unlikely. But, once given a diagnosis, applying preventative measures is helpful. There are preventative steps that may lessen the symptoms.
For people experiencing prolonged feelings of depression, help is available. The first step is recognizing that negative symptoms are a not necessary part of life. When suffering from seasonal affective disorder, it may feel like there is no solution but things can get better.
The depression specialists at D’Amore Mental Health are here to help. At their facility in Orange County, they have a team of dedicated therapists, nurses, and dietitians. It is possible to break the depression patterns.
Their specialized treatment programs create the right plan for anyone suffering from mental health issues. Including all forms of depression. Call D’Amore Mental Health today to end sadness, low energy, and feelings of giving up.
