What to do if SAD sets in
Much like every energetic kid doesn’t have AD/HD, the fact that most people feel happier on sunny days doesn’t mean they all have Seasonal Affective Disorder. But for those who do, SAD can become serious business.
A form of depression related to seasonal changes, SAD goes deeper than typical “winter blues,” beginning and ending about the same time each year. For some it’s the hot months, but according to the Mayo Clinic, symptom onset more often begins in fall and continues through winter: Devoid of energy, moody, increasingly depressed until the sun once again dominates.
Signs and symptoms of SAD typically include:
• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Lost interest in activities once enjoyed
• Low energy
• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty
• Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may also include oversleeping, craving foods high in carbohydrates and associated weight gain.
Spring- and summer-specific SAD symptoms also include insomnia, agitation or anxiety, poor appetite and associated weight loss.
When to see a doctor: Feeling down sometimes and preferring sunny days is common. But doctors say if it drags on for days at a time and you can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, especially if sleep and appetite are affected, it’s time to seek help. Doubly so if you’re turning to alcohol or drugs for comfort, or if you feel hopeless or think about suicide.
Causes: Uncertain, but suspicions include seasonal interference with circadian rhythms (the body’s internal clock), levels of serotonin — a chemical transmitter in the brain which may be affected by light, as well as melatonin — which affects sleep and mood.
Risk factors and complications: Seasonal affective disorder is diagnosed more often in women than in men, and occurs more frequently in young adults. Family history, bipolar disorder and major depression also increase risk. SAD symptoms also further complicate these and other problems, such as social withdrawal, substance abuse, work and family issues.
The equator? Living up north, or farther south, of the equator may have something to do with, as the reported incidence of SAD is more common the farther away from the equator people live. That may be due to the relatively shorter winter and longer summer days.
Diagnosis and treatment: Because SAD’s symptoms are similar to other possible disorders, diagnosis can be difficult but typically includes physical and psychological exams, as well as lab tests. Treatments include light therapy (low-cost SAD lights are widely available), which can work in a matter of days, altering brain chemicals; antidepressants, which take longer but are recommended in certain cases; and cognitive psychotherapy to help identify and change negative thought and behavior patterns and manage stress.
Speaking of the mind-body connection, Mayo Clinic reports that relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and tai chi have also proved helpful. Outdoor walks, regular exercise, and healthy diet — helpful in so many other ways — are also recommended both preventively and to help cope with SAD.
“My wife was afraid of the dark. Then she saw me naked and now she’s afraid of the light.” — Rodney Dangerfield
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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who is cranky all summer long. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.