Don't Be SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that usually starts in the late teen or adult years. It is more common in women and in areas with long winter nights. And if those long nights include days of lots of snow and ice, when you're 'cooped up in your home,' the depression can get even worse.    

Symptoms

Symptoms of SAD usually build during the late fall and winter months, and are similar to other forms of depression such as:

• Hopelessness
• Decrease in energy or ability to concentrate
• Decreased interest in work or social activities
• Feeling sluggish
• Social withdrawal
• Irritability or moodiness
• Unhappiness
• Weight gain, increased appetite and increased sleep (this is opposite of what typically occurs with depression)

Sometimes SAD may become a long-term depression and there is a chance that suicidal thoughts can occur as well.  But, typically, SAD is a short-term, seasonal and manageable condition.

Testing

There is no test for SAD, so if you are concerned about signs for yourself or a loved one, the first step is to talk about it.  Talk with your primary care provider or a loved one. Talking, of and by itself, is often therapeutic for SAD and can ease the symptoms. To make sure something else isn't causing the symptoms, your doctor may order labs to check your blood sugar, your thyroid function, or test for mononucleosis.

Treatment

Simple treatments for SAD can include making sure you get enough sleep, eating well, and exercise. (Heard that enough?) As you might also imagine, surrounding yourself with positive people also helps.  Staying away from alcohol or illegal drugs is a no-brainer as using either one can make depression worse.

Light therapy has been used as an effective treatment for many people, as it mimics the light from the sun which is in short supply during the winter. If light therapy is going to be effective, you'll notice an improvement in symptoms within 3-4 weeks. If the simpler treatments aren't effective, then your healthcare provider may prescribe antidepressant medications to help.

The good news about SAD is it usually improves with treatment, and when spring arrives, it resolves. The most important thing to remember is to talk to your healthcare provider about it.

For more information, please visit the American Psychiatric Association or the National Library of Medicine websites.