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What You Need to Know about Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Daniel Flores
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Mental health challenges can happen at any time of the year, not just during specific seasons. Located in Woodland Hills, California, Florecer Family Counseling is here to serve you or your loved ones through any difficulties you may find yourself facing. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, our team is ready to help you along the path of healing. Don't wait to find support – give us a call or contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you on your journey to better mental health.
Have you ever noticed yourself feeling more sad or tired during certain seasons? Do you find yourself oversleeping, feeling overwhelmed, and just feeling more depressed? You might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD. This blog will help you understand what SAD is, recognize its symptoms, and discover effective treatment options that can help you feel like yourself again.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that is caused due to changes in the seasons. It's more than just winter blues as some would refer to it; it's a real mental health condition that affects about 5% of adults in America. It shows up around the same time each year, either during the summer months or fall-winter months, and can significantly impact your daily life.
Most people with SAD experience symptoms during the fall and winter months. This typically starts in late fall, around November or December, when daylight hours become shorter. However, some people experience what's called summer-pattern SAD, where symptoms occur during the warmer months instead.
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Understanding what causes SAD can help you understand your sudden depression during the winter months if you have SAD. There are several factors that tend to contribute to SAD, being:
Biological Causes
Reduced Sunlight: With the approach of the winter months along with the shorter days that come with, there is less sunlight. Sunlight and Vitamin D are very helpful for producing serotonin, which helps to regulate your mood.
Melatonin Production: Your body's sleep hormone, melatonin, also gets disrupted. With fewer daylight hours and longer nights, your body tends to overproduce melatonin, making you feel more sluggish and unmotivated throughout the day.
Location: Studies find that people who live further away from the equator tend to suffer from SAD more commonly than those who live close to the equator. This is because regions that are further from the equator are subject to more changes in the seasons.
Risk Factors
When it comes to SAD, there are certain underlying factors for people who develop it. Some of these factors include:
Family history: Studies show that SAD is correlated to genetics, as many people who have SAD also have family with SAD as well
Gender: Women tend to develop and experience SAD four times more often than men do
Age: People with SAD tend to be around the age of 18-30, but older people can still suffer from SAD.
Mental Health: Having depression or anxiety-related challenges can heighten your chances of experiencing SAD
When Does SAD Start and How Long Does It Last?
The difference between SAD and regular depression is its timing and season. With SAD, your symptoms show up consistently during specific months each year, not
at different times throughout the year.
SAD can take place either during the summer months or the winter months. For winter-pattern SAD, SAD usually takes place sometime between September and January. For summer-pattern SAD, SAD usually takes place sometime between May and August. Both types of SAD tend to last throughout the entire winter or summer season, and have different effects on mental health.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Recognizing SAD symptoms is the first step toward getting help. The symptoms can vary depending on whether you have winter-pattern or summer-pattern SAD.
Common Symptoms for Both Types:
Feeling sad, anxious, or empty
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Loss of interest in activities
Difficulty concentrating
Being easily irritated
Withdrawal from social interactions
Winter-Pattern SAD Symptoms:
Sleep changes: Oversleeping or having difficulty getting out of bed
Appetite changes: experiencing a heightened appetite leading to overeating
Summer-Pattern SAD Symptoms:
Sleep changes: Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
Appetite changes: Poor appetite and weight loss
When Should You Be Concerned?
When SAD starts to get in the way of your daily life, you should start seeking treatment. A few ways that SAD might get in the way of your daily life include:
Avoiding social situations
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Developing an addiction to drugs for coping
Struggle to complete simple household chores
Treatment Options for SAD
There are several treatment options to help alleviate the symptoms of SAD. It is important to contact a psychologist or physician in order to know which treatment options are best for you.
Light Therapy
Light therapy is a form of treatment for winter-pattern SAD. The purpose of light therapy is to try to simulate the sunlight that your body would normally receive outside of the spring to summer months, which will boost serotonin levels and also simulate longer daylight hours.
Psychotherapy
Seek therapy, such as the therapy offered by Florecer Family Counseling, to learn about how SAD is impacting your life and find out more ways to fight against it. Therapy such as CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is one of the main treatments for SAD symptoms.
Medications
Consult your doctor to see which medications are best for you, or if medication is the best option. Taking medications such as antidepressants may help to reduce the effects of SAD.
Lifestyle Changes
Among taking supplements for vitamin D, other lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise as well as social interaction, can greatly help to reduce the effects of SAD. Not only this, but if you maintain this lifestyle before SAD affects you, you can help to reduce its effects before it starts.
Overcoming SAD
When fighting against SAD, you may feel low in energy and therefore may put off getting help. It is important to seek help before symptoms worsen and SAD becomes too difficult to escape from. It is always best to remind yourself that you are not alone, and that there are resources to help you overcome your SAD. Florecer Family Counseling is dedicated to making sure that you get the help you need to overcome your SAD. Don't wait to begin overcoming your depression and anxiety. Schedule an appointment with Florecer Family Counseling today
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Frequently Asked Questions About SAD
Is light therapy safe?
Light therapy is exposure to bright light for prolonged periods of time that is meant to simulate the sunlight hours that are normally lost during the winter season for winter-pattern SAD. It is generally safe for most people to use, but make sure to consult with a specialist if you have any issues with light.
When should I seek professional help for SAD?
In some cases, SAD can be managed and mitigated without professional help. However, when SAD begins to interfere with your daily life and you begin to see a decline with your quality of life, you should seek professional help to improve your condition.
Should I take antidepressants for SAD?
This decision should always be made with a doctor. Antidepressants may be helpful for SAD, but what works best varies from person to person. You may also explore your thoughts and feelings about medication with your therapist to assist you with your decision.
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