Irish in Britain’s Health coordinator Marie Dillon writes:
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs at the same time each year, usually in winter. SAD can affect anyone but it is more common in women and those with a family history of depression.
The symptoms of SAD are similar to those clinical depression, they include:
- Persistent low mood, tearfulness.
- Changes in appetite, weight gain.
- Disrupted sleep, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating.
- Feeling irritable, a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities.
- Low self–esteem, feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness.
- Feeling stressed or anxious.
- Thoughts of suicide.
While the exact causes of SAD are unclear, most theories attribute the disorder to the reduction of daylight hours in winter. The shorter days and reduced exposure to sunlight that occurs in winter are thought to affect the body by disrupting its internal “body–clock” known as circadian rhythm (sleep and wake cycle).
Additionally, production of melatonin (the hormone that helps you sleep) is triggered by the dark, so during the short days and long nights of winter, your body may produce too much melatonin, leaving you feeling drowsy and low on energy. The reduced sunlight of winter can lower your body’s production of serotonin (the happy hormone), a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood. A deficit of serotonin may lead to depression and adversely affect your sleep, appetite, memory, and sex drive.
Much of the treatment and lifestyle recommendations for clinical depression are the same as those for SAD. Although, SAD can make it hard to motivate yourself to make changes, there are plenty of steps you can take to help yourself feel better. Lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and good nutrition are a good place to start. Light therapy is also a common form of treatment for SAD. Your GP may recommend treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or other psychological therapies, or medication.
Before starting any treatment for SAD, a person should make sure to meet with their doctor.