Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a serious mental health issue that can negatively impact mood and general wellbeing, particularly in months with less daylight hours. Known to be a subtype of both bipolar illness and major depressive disorder, SAD usually manifests as significant depressive episodes in the fall or winter that subside by the spring or summer. This illness has a substantial impact on mood, cognitive function and physical health, going beyond momentary depression.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a kind of depression associated with seasonal variations in temperature; the onset and end of SAD are roughly coincidental each year. Your symptoms, which deplete your energy and make you feel moody, begin in the fall and last throughout the winter, if you’re like the majority of people with SAD. The spring and summer are when these symptoms usually go away. Less frequently, depression brought on by SAD sets in in the spring or early summer and goes away in the fall or winter.

Do you get seasonal affective disorder in summer?

An unusual form of SAD known as “summer depression” affects certain people. It concludes in the fall after beginning in the late spring or early summer. Compared to seasonal affective disorder, which typically manifests in the winter, it is less prevalent.

Is it possible to get seasonal affective disorder in winter?

The winter blues, a mild form of SAD, can also strike you. It’s common to have some depression throughout the winter. Because it becomes dark early, you can be stuck inside. But, SAD however, goes beyond this. It is a type of depression.

Signs & Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):

Seasonal affective disorder symptoms typically start in late fall or early winter and disappear in the spring and summer when the weather gets warmer. Less frequently, individuals following the reverse pattern, get symptoms in the spring or summer. In either scenario, as the season wears on, symptoms could first be moderate before getting worse.

  • Continuously feeling depressed, worried, or “empty” much of the day, almost every day, for at least two weeks
  • Emotions of despair or hopelessness
  • Feelings of restlessness, irritation, or frustration
  • Regret, worthlessness or powerlessness
  • Loss of enjoyment or interest in pastimes and pursuits
  • Diminished vitality, exhaustion, or a sense of slowness
  • Inability to focus, recall details or make decisions
  • Unplanned weight fluctuations, alterations in appetite or sleep patterns
  • Physical discomfort that does not improve with treatment, such as headaches, cramps, stomach issues, or aches and pains; suicidal thoughts or suicidal attempts.

Symptoms of Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):

Summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes known as summer depression, is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Lack of sleep (insomnia)
  • Insufficient appetite
  • Loss of weight
  • Anxiety or agitation
  • Extreme irritation

Symptoms of Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):

Winter SAD or winter blues, commonly known as winter depression, is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Sleeping too much
  • Changes in appetite, particularly a desire for foods high in carbs
  • Gaining weight
  • Fatigue or lack of energy

Winter-pattern SAD is not to be confused with the ‘Holiday Blues,’ which are depressive or anxious feelings brought on by stress at specific seasons of the year. Holiday stress, regular seasonal adjustments to work or school schedules, family visits and other events are not the same as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is linked to variations in daylight hours rather than the calendar.

How Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is diagnosed?

Depression frequently coexists with other illnesses like cancer or heart disease. It can also occur with other mental disorders, like anxiety or substance misuse. For these reasons, the secret to healing is early diagnosis and therapy. Following a thorough mental health examination and review of medical history, SAD may be diagnosed. A psychiatrist or other mental health professional performs these. Millions of Americans are thought to suffer with SAD, yet many of them may not be aware that they have this widespread illness. SAD typically starts in early adulthood. Women experience SAD far more frequently than males do. Additionally, winter-pattern SAD happens more frequently than summer-pattern SAD. Consequently, those who live further north, when winter daylight hours are fewer, are more likely to suffer from SAD. Individuals with depression or bipolar disorder, are more likely to experience SAD. In addition, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, anxiety disorders and panic disorders are frequently present in individuals with SAD.

What Cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Shorter days and less sunlight are assumed to be related to a chemical shift in the brain. They might contribute to the etiology of SAD. Another hormone connected to sleep, melatonin, has also been connected to SAD. In the dark, the body naturally produces more melatonin. So, more melatonin is produced during shorter, darker days. Researchers are unsure of the precise reason of seasonal depression. If you are prone to the disease, lack of sunlight may exacerbate it. According to the theories:

  1. Biological Clock Change: Your biological clock changes when the amount of sunlight decreases. Your internal clock controls hormones, sleep patterns, and mood. When it does, you find yourself out of sync with your regular routine and unable to adapt to the expansion of the day.
  2. Brain Chemical Imbalance: Neurotransmitters are substances in the brain that facilitate communication between nerves. Among these substances is serotonin, which plays a role in happiness. Your serotonin activity may already be lower if you are at risk for SAD. Wintertime deprivation of sunshine can exacerbate the condition since it plays a role in the regulation of serotonin. Depression may result from a further decline in serotonin levels.
  3. Deficiency of Vitamin D: Your serotonin level also gets a boost from vitamin D. Since sunlight helps produce vitamin D, less sun in the winter can lead to a vitamin D deficiency. That change can affect your serotonin level and your mood.        
  4. Melatonin Boost: Melatonin is a chemical that affects your sleep patterns and mood. The lack of sunlight may stimulate an overproduction of melatonin in some people. You may feel sluggish and sleepy during the winter.
  5. Negative Thoughts: Individuals who with SAD frequently experience tension, worry, and depressing wintertime thoughts. It is unclear to researchers whether these pessimistic attitudes contribute to or are a result of seasonal depression.

How to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

There are therapies available to assist those suffering with SAD. They can be utilized separately or in combination and are divided into four major categories:

  • Psychotherapy
  • Light therapy
  • Medicines for depression
  • Vitamin D

While psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals are used to treat depression in general, including winter- and summer-pattern SAD, light therapy and vitamin D are remedies for winter-pattern SAD. Summer-pattern SAD does not have a specific treatment. Discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of various treatment choices with a medical professional to determine which course of action is best for you.

Light Therapy:

    It attempts to compensate for the reduced amount of natural sunlight during the darker months by exposing persons with SAD to bright light. During the fall through spring, the patient receives this treatment, which involves sitting in front of a 10,000 lux light box for 30 to 45 minutes each day, usually first time in the morning. Most people can safely undergo this treatment since the light box, which is around 20 times brighter than regular indoor light, blocks out potentially harmful UV rays. However, some individuals may require alternate therapies or light therapy under a doctor’s supervision if they have specific eye conditions or are taking particular medications that make them more sensitive to sunlight.

    Psychotherapy:

    People with SAD can benefit from psychotherapy by learning new ways to think and act, as well as by modifying bad patterns that lead to depression. The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of psychotherapy, is to teach patients how to question and alter harmful ideas and behaviors in order to alleviate their anxiety and depression. For six weeks, CBT-SAD is usually delivered in two weekly group sessions. The program’s main goal is to replace seasonal negative thoughts, such as those concerning the heat or darkness of winter or summer with more upbeat ones. In order to counteract the loss of interest people usually feel in the winter or summer, CBT-SAD also makes use of a technique known as behavioral activation, which assists people in identifying and scheduling enjoyable, engaging indoor or outdoor activities.

    Anti-depression Medication:

    Antidepressants, which are medications used to treat depression, may be helpful for SAD either on their own or in conjunction with talk therapy. Antidepressants function by altering the way the brain makes or uses specific chemicals related to stress or mood. Antidepressants typically take 4–8 weeks to start working. Sleep, hunger and concentration issues frequently get better before mood swings do. Before determining whether a medicine is good for you, it is crucial to allow it time to work. To locate the ideal drug, you might need to test a few different ones. Due to the fact that SAD, like other forms of depression, is linked to abnormalities in serotonin levels, antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are occasionally used to treat symptoms. These drugs have the ability to greatly improve one’s mood.

    Vitamin D:

    Vitamin D deficiency is a common cause of winter-pattern SAD, therefore taking supplements could assist with symptoms. Studies examining vitamin D as a treatment for SAD, however, have produced contradictory findings; while some have found no impact, others have found it to be just as helpful as light therapy. Discuss any dietary supplements you use together with any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take with your healthcare professional. Certain drugs and vitamin D may interfere.

    Key Points about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):

    • Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that often strikes in the fall and winter.
    • The reason of SAD is unclear. However, shorter days and less sunlight can contribute to the problem. Another hormone connected to sleep, melatonin, may possibly be connected to SAD.
    • Increased sleepiness and tiredness during the day, social disengagement, irritability, and a decrease in sex drive are other symptoms.
    • SAD may be identified following a mental health assessment and medical history. A psychiatrist or other mental health specialist performs these.
    • The most common treatments for depression are light therapy, psychotherapy, and occasionally medications.

    Conclusion

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs in specific seasons, most commonly in the winter. It is characterized by feelings of despondency, low energy, and a general sense of unhappiness that align with seasonal changes. Symptoms can significantly impact daily life and well-being, but the good news is that SAD is treatable. Effective management strategies, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments, can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. If you suspect you might be experiencing SAD, it is important to seek guidance from a healthcare professional. They can provide a diagnosis, recommend appropriate treatments, and offer support tailored to your needs.

    SOURCES

    Cleveland Clinic 2022 – Seasonal Affective Disorder

    Johns Hopkins Medicine – Seasonal Affective Disorder

    Mayo Clinic 2021 – Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

    HISTORY

    Current Version
    September 9, 2024

    Written By:
    BARIRA MEHMOOD