Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a pattern of depression that follows the seasons. Also known as “winter depression”, those with SAD experience symptoms of depression most commonly in the winter months, however it can also follow a pattern less frequently in the other seasons.
As winter’s longer hours of darkness set in, some people become depressed and down. When spring or summer comes, symptoms of depression subside. SAD affects people in all areas of life, including home, work, and in relationships.
When a person experiences SAD, they may have the following symptoms:
- increase in sleep
- increase in appetite
- craving for sweets or carbohydrates
- weight gain
- difficulty concentrating
- feelings of sadness
- withdrawal from family and friends
- irritability
- decreased energy
Many people believe that they are suffering from the “winter blahs”, and do not realize that they have SAD. If symptoms peak in the early months of the year and resolve when the daylight hours get longer, this is an indication that you might be suffering from SAD. If symptoms return two winters in a row, then this is another indication of the disorder.
It is believed that age may be related, with risk of SAD increasing over the age of 20 years and decreasing in middle to later years. SAD also affects more women than men. If you work hours that get you to work when it is dark out and home after the sun sets, or you work shift work, you have a higher risk of experiencing the symptoms of SAD.
SAD occurs in about 2-3% of the population (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2011). Treatments for SAD include light therapy (not tanning beds), which regulates the body’s production of a hormone called melatonin. This hormone lets your body know when it is time to go to sleep or when it is time to wake up. Spending more time outdoors during daylight hours can also help. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and antidepressant medication are also effective treatments for SAD.