It is common to experience depression-related feelings during a specific time of the year. This condition is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or seasonal depression. It is a sporadic, prolonged episode of depression, often occurring 4-5 months out of the year. Not to be confused with “holiday blues,” SAD includes serious symptoms associated with depression. There are two categories of SAD: winter and summer patterns. Out of the two, winter-associated seasonal depression is more frequently observed than summer-associated. This is likely caused by winter’s shorter daylight hours.
Causes of seasonal depression are still being researched; however, summer SAD is not as well-researched as winter SAD due to its being more common and easier to study. So far, it has been concluded that winter-pattern SAD is commonly caused by a lack of vitamin D, resulting in reduced serotonin levels, which help regulate mood. In addition to food-related vitamin D, the body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, so shortened days lead to less vitamin D exposure. Also, another common cause for both types of SAD has been traced to altered melatonin levels – a hormone linked to the sleep cycle. People with winter-pattern SAD often over-produce melatonin, causing feelings of tiredness and oversleeping. In contrast, people with summer-pattern SAD usually don’t produce enough melatonin, worsening their sleep quality, which can lead to feelings of depression.
Some signs of winter SAD consist of hypersomnia (oversleeping), overeating, and social withdrawal. Weight gain is also another common symptom as a result of overeating. Symptoms of summer SAD include insomnia (sleeping issues), lack of appetite, agitation, anxiety, and mood shifts. Along with these symptoms, depression-related symptoms like decreased energy and/or motivation can also be connected to seasonal depression. People who already have depression, bipolar disorder, or a mental disorder are more likely to experience SAD and its symptoms. Mental disorders and SAD often share underlying psychological factors, leading to heightened sensitivity to seasonal changes.
So, how can SAD be treated? One remedy that is used is light therapy. Light therapy is exposure to artificial light to boost mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin. Another effective treatment option is psychotherapy, which includes seeing a therapist to discuss issues involved with SAD symptoms. Additionally, medications like antidepressants can also be used to suppress feelings of sadness caused by seasonal depression. However, even with all of these remedies, some people may find them to still be ineffective. Roughly 30-50% of people with SAD find that these treatments do not work. Although professionals are still trying to find ways to treat seasonal depression through studying environmental triggers, biological mechanisms, and clinical trials.
Improvement and research for healthcare are ongoing. As Seasonal Affective Disorder gains traction in the medical field, patients will begin to feel hopeful about aiding and treating their disorder. Understanding the causes, signs, and symptoms may help not only patients of seasonal depression, but also friends and family of patients. Awareness is crucial for health complications, whether that means being understanding of a situation someone is in, or just knowing what a patient is going through. Seasonal depression should not be overlooked and is more than just “holiday blues.”
Sources:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
