Do you have Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms

For many, the winter months mean cosy fires and festive evenings, but for others it signals the beginning of an almost unbearable season, and a depression that only lifts when spring is on the horizon. For those who think they may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, here's our guide to the illness and how to overcome it.

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SAD definition and causes

Seasonal Affective Disorder, sometimes known as 'winter depression', is a pattern of depressive behaviour that is repetitive in nature, coming and going with the changing of the seasons, and is more than just getting the winter blues. This means that feelings of depression or a low mood will arrive in late autumn and ease again in spring, often disappearing by summer.

The cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder is thought to be a lack of exposure to natural daylight that then has a knock on effect on hormone production and the body's internal clock. Less exposure to sunlight is thought to lead to higher levels of melatonin and lower levels of seratonin, and since these hormones affect sleep and mood respectively...well, you can see where this is going. The resulting imbalance means a disturbed circadian rhythm, increased lethargy and feelings of depression, which can often be detrimental to a person's mental health.

Symptoms of SAD

As Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression, with the difference being that SAD tends to occur repetitively every winter, it can include all or a combination of the following symptoms:

Loss of interest in everyday activities
Persistent low mood or feelings of extreme unhappiness
Low energey, lethargy
Sleeping too much, especially in the mornings, and difficulty staying awake
Sometimes disturbed sleep and constant early morning waking
Weight gain and craving for carbohydrates
Low libido
Becoming tearful easily
Increased anxiety, stress and irritability, sometimes resulting in problems sleeping

How to get tested for Seasonal Affective Disorder

"You have the right to feel well, both in mind and body."

There are some online tools that can help to give you an idea of whether you may be affected by the disorder - SAD UK have a self-test on their site, and NHS Choices has a depression self-assessment. While a test should never replace a visit to the doctor, for some, taking one is the wake up call that encourages a visit to their GP, so even though they're certainly not a definitive diagnostic tool, they can be a catalyst for seeking help.

SAD can be difficult to diagnose in some people, because the symptoms often mirror those of regular depression. The key factors in diagnosing the illness are its repetitive nature (returning each autumn/winter) and the way it eases or disappears in the warmer, lighter months.

Because of its transient nature, there is a social stigma associated with the condition, and many people with SAD go undiagnosed, despite it being a legitimate and widely recognised medical disorder. So, if you're struggling to cope through the winter months, it's important that you see a health professional who can assess you and arrange treatment accordingly.

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Seasonal Affective Disorder treatments

light therapy

NICE guidelines dictate that SAD is, for the most part, treated in the same way as depression, and there are a range of things you can try in order to ease the symptoms. In extreme cases, doctors will sometimes issue anti-depressants (often SSRIs, which boost seratonin levels) to combat SAD, but more often one or more of these approaches will be tried first. You can also try light therapy, which we'll explain below.

Exercise

Lots of sufferers wake up and come home from work in the dark, which means there's very little time to get outdoors, stay active and enjoy the daylight. But it's important to take every opportunity to be outside during the day, even for half an hour at lunchtime. Go for a walk, a gentle run or, at the weekend, a bike ride, tennis, an exercise routine in the garden - whatever you can manage. The endorphins produced by physical activity, combined with the extra sunlight, could help to lift your mood.

A balanced diet

There's a tendency for SAD sufferers to reach for carb-laden, stodgy foods come winter, and while it may feel comforting at the time, sticking to a healthy, balanced diet will help to fight the lethargy associated with the condition.

Seek out light

No, we haven't come over all New Age - we mean just that. Sit in well-lit areas of your house, or arrange to sit near a window at work. Seasonal Affective Disorder is thought to be caused by a lack of sunlight, so seeking out as much as you can during daylight hours makes perfect sense, no?

Try mindfulness

Stress and anxiety will do nothing to help ease the symptoms, so setting aside a few minutes here and there in order to clear your head may leave you with a little more calm and focus.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Your doctor may refer you for this behavioural therapy that focuses on changing the way we think and react to situations. The Royal College of Psychiatrists found evidence to suggest that this type of therapy could not only ease the symptoms of SAD for some people, but could actually prevent the them showing up again the following winter.

Light therapy

"I have just ordered a SAD lamp for the first time. My sister in law has one, and she says that it helps enormously."

If you suffer from severe winter depression, your GP may also recommend light therapy. This involves using something called a light box, which simulates exposure to the light your body is missing out on in the winter months (but without the harmful UV rays). Used for a short time each morning, light boxes can help to stimulate production of seratonin and repress the production of melatonin. It's important to use a light box that is certified for medical use though, and if you're not sure about splashing out on one to begin with you can even rent one to see if it helps with your symptoms.

For more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder, see the NHS website.

Disclaimer: The information on our health pages is only intended as an informal guide and should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice. Gransnet would urge you to consult your GP before you begin any diet if you're concerned about your weight, have existing health conditions and/or are taking medication.