SAD is a type of depression that follows the seasons, with the most common being winter depression. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the period from late fall to early winter typically marks the beginning of the depression period, which ends by summer.
Despite the timing, SAD should not be confused with the winter blahs. It goes well beyond eating and sleeping more in the winter, which most of us do. Everyone with SAD doesn’t experience the same symptoms. But common signs include a change in appetite (especially cravings for sweet or starchy food), weight gain, a heavy feeling in the arms or legs, fatigue, a tendency to oversleep, difficulty concentrating, irritability, headaches, an avoidance of social situations and a loss of interest in sex. You should seek medical advice if you’re feeling depressed for long periods of time such as several days to weeks. If you’ve lost pleasure in things that were once enjoyable or have contemplated taking your own life, get to a doctor right away.
With so many symptoms, diagnosing SAD isn’t always easy. Doctors often look at those who have experienced depression and other symptoms of SAD for at least two consecutive winters-each followed by nondepressed periods in the spring and summer. They also check to ensure there are no other explanations for the mood and behavioral changes. Other types of depression may mimic the symptoms.
The cause of SAD is largely unknown, but doctors think that heredity, stress, the body’s chemical makeup-even geography-can play a role. According to a leading theory amongst SAD researchers, shorter days and longer nights might disrupt the circadian rhythms which regulate the body’s internal clocks. Lack of sunlight is also seen as a trigger for SAD among patients living at higher latitudes where the changing seasons can bring a decreased amount of daylight.
Currently, there are three major types of treatment. The first is light therapy in which a person sits a few feet away from a special lamp that’s 10 to 20 times brighter than ordinary lights. This is done for about 30 minutes a day, and has been found to be most effective first thing in the morning. Though unconventional, this method has been successful at treating a large number of patients.
Antidepressant medications are also used to treat SAD patients. The amount of medication and the length of time you take the medication varies according to the severity of the illness. If you’ve had a history of SAD, your doctors might start you on these medications before the onset of recurring symptoms. Like most medications, antidepressants can have side effects such as headaches, nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness and poor concentration. It’s important to consider the potential of these adverse events and discuss them with your doctor.
Psychotherapy is the third major treatment. This involves identifying and modifying negative thoughts and behaviors that may play a role in triggering SAD symptoms. Stress-reduction techniques, as well as regular exercise, are believed to be helpful in delaying the onset or severity of symptoms.
While it’s important that we enjoy the festivities during the holidays, it’s equally critical to be watchful and supportive of those around us who might suffer from SAD this season. Happy Holidays.
