The “winter blues” are real, there is a diagnosable disorder related to it and affective treatment is available.
Many people experience short periods of feeling sad or unlike their usual selves during the winter. This happens when the days get shorter and generally improves in the spring when longer daylight hours return. It’s called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Estimates show millions of Americans experience SAD, although many may not know they have this common disorder. In most cases, SAD begins in young adulthood.
At times, these seasonal mood changes can be more serious and can affect a person’s thoughts or behaviors. If you or a loved one experiences significant changes in mood or behavior when the seasons change, it may be seasonal affective disorder.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports the symptoms of depression can include:
- Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Decreased energy, fatigue or feeling slowed down
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- Changes in sleep or appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment
- Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder can include:
- Oversleeping (hypersomnia)
- Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates, leading to weight gain
- Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”)
If you or a loved one is showing symptoms of SAD, reach out to a health provider or a mental health specialist.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports a SAD diagnosis must meet specific criteria:
- Symptoms of depression or the more specific symptoms of winter- or summer-pattern SAD listed above.
- Depressive episodes occur during specific seasons (winter or summer) for at least two consecutive years. However, not all people with SAD experience symptoms every year.
- Depressive episodes during the specific season are more frequent than depressive episodes experienced at other times of the year.
There is ongoing research about the causes of SAD, but studies indicate that people who suffer from SAD have lower levels of serotonin, the brain chemical that helps regulate mood. Research indicates that sunlight levels can affect serotonin levels. Vitamin D deficiency can also exacerbate the symptoms of SAD because vitamin D is believed to promote serotonin activity.
Fortunately, treatment options are available for people suffering from SAD and can be used in combination:
- Light therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Antidepressant medication
- Vitamin D
If you think you may be suffering from SAD, talk to your health care provider about the potential benefits and risks of different treatment options and which treatment is best for you.