Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Overview

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with seasonal changes. This condition is most common in the winter when there is less sunlight. It may cause symptoms include feeling down, having low energy, sleeping too much, and overeating. SAD can also happen in the summer but is less common. Hence, it is a real condition that affects people's lives. Doctors may recommend treatment plans including light therapy, medication, and vitamin D supplements.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression is a depression type that is triggered by seasonal changes, particularly during the beginning of fall. The depressive condition worsens in the early winter or late fall while disappearing in the sunnier days of spring or summer. A milder version of this mental health condition is known as winter blues.

An individual may usually feel down during the colder months. However, SAD symptoms affect daily life, including how an individual thinks or feels. This form of depression can rarely affect individuals during the onset of spring or early summer.

Types of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Following are the two main types of seasonal affective disorder (SAD):

Fall Onset: Also known as the winter depression, this SAD type begins in the early winter or late fall. Symptoms disappear during the summer.

Spring Onset: This type of SAD or summer depression is much less common. Symptoms appear in the early summer or late spring, disappearing during the onset of winter or fall.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder is classified as a major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns by the American Psychiatric Association. The symptoms often appear during early winter or late fall and also disappear during spring and summer. In some individuals, the symptoms may also occur in the sunnier days of summer or spring. These symptoms start gradually, worsening with the change of season.

An individual may commonly feel sad or hopeless almost every day, lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed doing, face problems with sleeping too much, have suicidal thoughts and feel worthless, guilty or hopeless. One may also feel sluggish and have low energy most of the days. Overeating, carbohydrate cravings and weight gain are some other common experiences for individuals with SAD.

The winter onset SAD or winter depression symptoms include unexplained weight gain, low energy or tiredness, oversleeping and appetite changes (craving for carbohydrates). Spring and summer SAD or summer depression symptoms commonly include increased irritability, weight loss, anxiety, agitation, poor appetite and insomnia.

Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder are at an increased risk of developing seasonal affective disorder. They may experience episodes of mania, which may be linked to some specific reason. Summer depression can cause hypomania, anxiety, irritability and agitation in an individual. Trouble concentrating and heavy feeling in the limbs are other common symptoms.

Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Medical experts have not yet found the exact causes of seasonal depression. However, they believe that lack of sunlight can trigger the condition. According to some renowned medical theories about SAD, less sunlight can cause your biological clock to shift. The internal clock of the body is responsible for regulating one's mood, hormones and sleep. Shifting of this clock can disrupt an individual's daily schedule.

Lack of sunlight also reduces serotonin in the body, which contributes to the feeling of happiness. With the drastic decline of serotonin levels in the body, one can develop depression. Less sunlight exposure in the winter also causes vitamin D deficiency, overproduction of melatonin and negative thoughts (anxiety and suicidal thoughts) in individuals, leading to SAD.
The disorder is more common in individuals assigned to females at birth and between the ages of 18 and 30. People with major mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are at high risk of developing SAD. Additionally, living in cloudy regions or at latitudes far south or far north from the equator where less sunlight reaches during winter can increase the risk.

Diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Upon experiencing the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), people must seek help from a healthcare professional. A psychiatrist or psychologist will ask the individual about their symptoms, upon which they will consider the pattern and conclude if the condition is SAD or another mood disorder. No blood test or imaging test can help to diagnose this form of depression. However, a medical expert may recommend some tests, including thyroid, to rule out other conditions that may be causing similar conditions.

Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A medical expert may recommend a combination of treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), light therapy, vitamin D supplements and antidepressant medications. An individual may also be recommended to spend time outdoors so that they get more sunlight exposure to improve the symptoms.

Prevention of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

The first episode of SAD may not be prevented. However, with proper diagnosis, one can take proactive measures to better manage seasonal depression, preventing it from coming back. This includes using light therapy at the onset of fall, spending more time outside even during cloudy days, eating healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals, exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, and seeing friends have their support during the winter months.

One must also schedule periodical appointments with a psychiatrist or psychologist while taking the prescribed antidepressants and other medications. Healing is a continuous process, ensure to reach out to close ones when things feel heavier to handle alone.

Myths and Facts Related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

The myths and facts related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are outlined below:

Myth 1: SAD only Happens in Winter
Fact: While winter SAD is the most common, some people experience SAD in the summer months, especially during the spring or early summer.

Myth 2: SAD is a Mild Form of Depression
Fact: SAD is a type of major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern, which can be just as severe as non-seasonal depression.

Myth 3: SAD only Affects People Living in Cold, Dark Climates
Fact: While SAD is more common in areas with less sunlight exposure, it can affect anybody between the ages of 18 and 30, and those assigned female during birth. Individuals with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia can also develop this.

Myth 4: SAD is Nothing but Just in Your Head
Fact: Seasonal affective disorder is a real medical condition with environmental and biological factors that lead to its development. It can deeply impact an individual's mental health, resulting in them having thoughts of not living anymore.

Myth 5: One Cannot Heal from SAD
Fact: Self-care practices, such as regular exercise, hanging out with friends and spending time in nature, can help manage SAD symptoms.