It is estimated more than 13 million American adults suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD, also known as Winter Depression, brings mood changes and symptoms of depression to people during the colder months of the year. Symptoms of SAD can include psychological and physical changes, particularly as we get closer to the wintertime.
Psychological changes can include persistent sadness, irritability, mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of guilt, and loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. Physical changes can include increased sleepiness/fatigue, insomnia, changes in appetite (increased or decreased), weight fluctuations (gaining or losing weight), body pains, and headaches.
“These symptoms usually tend to worsen around the late fall and winter months,” said Dr. Hareem Arif, Psychiatrist at Med Center Health. “What we see is there is an onset of worsened depressive symptoms as the person gets closer to the winter. They tend to have low motivation, low energy levels, depressed mood, lack of concentration, and they really just are not enjoying things the way they typically did before.”
SAD is not just occasional winter blues. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of SAD is important and can help you know when you may need to seek help. Look for a pattern where symptoms consistently appear around the same time each year. For most people, this is in the fall and winter, starting as early as October or November, and resolving in the spring and summer. A formal diagnosis typically requires the depressive episodes happen during a specific season for at least two consecutive years, without a clear connection to other events.
SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter. Less sunlight can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Increased darkness can also lead to increased production of melatonin, a hormone that makes people feel sleepy.
“Med Center Health has a wide variety of treatment options to help those with Seasonal Affective Disorder,” said Dr. Arif. “There are the typical medications that we can offer, and we can also recommend patients use bright light therapy to help combat the lack of sunlight hours in the winter months. There is also a correlation of vitamin D deficiency with Seasonal Affective Disorder, so sometimes that may also determine whether or not further supplementation may be needed to help.”
To learn more about Med Center Health’s services to treat SAD and other mental health issues, visit MedCenterHealth.org/Psychiatry.
-submitted by Med Center Health
