Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of seasonal depression. Symptoms often start in late fall and continue throughout the winter months. They can be mild or severe enough to interfere with your daily activities. The cause of the disorder is not known, but researchers believe that your own personal biological clock, your genetic and chemical makeup and melatonin levels can all play a role. Females, people who live further from the equator, those with a family history of the condition and those with a personal history of bipolar disorder or clinical depression may be at an increased risk.

Symptoms of SAD can vary in severity and from person to person and may include:

• General depression
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Withdrawing from favorite activities
• Excess or too little sleep
• Less energy or feelings of fatigue
• Different appetite and weight gain or loss
• Difficulty concentrating or other mental changes
• Craving foods that are salty or sweet

Occasionally feeling depressed from time to time is normal. However, if you are experiencing a lengthy period of depression and have lost interest in previously enjoyable activities, it may be time to talk to your doctor. If your appetite has changed, you are struggling to sleep or sleep too much, you feel hopeless, you are self-medicating with alcohol or other substances or have thoughts of suicide, please see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will diagnose you based on your symptoms. Lab tests may be performed to rule out other conditions.

Many treatments for seasonal affective disorder are available and can alleviate your symptoms. You may benefit from light therapy, which mimics natural light levels and can help balance the brain chemicals that stabilize mood. Light therapy is generally the first course of action to manage SAD, and it is often extremely effective. Symptoms can improve in as few as two to four days, and side effects are limited.

Medications may be recommended for patients with moderate to severe symptoms. Psychotherapy may also be appropriate for some patients. A skilled therapist can help you identify and change patterns of behavior that could be triggering worse symptoms.

Lifestyle changes are frequently effective as well. Maintain good sleeping habits, a balanced diet and try to exercise several times a week. Exercising outside is best since it can provide you with a dose of sunshine on pleasant days.