What You Need to Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically beginning in the late autumn and early winter and going away during the spring and summer, when there is more daylight. As a variant of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern, SAD can dramatically affect a person’s emotional health, work performance, and life satisfaction.
Types of Seasonal Affective Disorder
There are two primary categories of SAD:
Winter-Onset SAD:
- It is a presentation, often of children, which comes on in the autumn and lasts throughout the winter.
- Frequently associated with too little sunlight, a condition that affects your mood.
Summer-Onset SAD:
- Nonetheless, albeit increasingly rare.
- Symptoms present in spring or early summer and may persist through the warm months.
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Though SAD’s exact causes are still not completely clear, there are a handful of related factors that are thought to play a role:
- Circadian Rhythm Disruption: Reduced exposure to sunlight can disrupt the body’s internal clock and negatively impact sleep, energy levels and mood.
- Serotonin Levels: Low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps control mood, can cause depression.
- Melatonin: Variations in light exposure can decrease melatonin levels, which can influence sleep-wake cycles and mood.
- Genetic and Psychological Factors: A family history of depression, or previous episodes of SAD, may put you at a higher risk.
Recognising the Symptoms
The symptoms of SAD are more or less similar to those of major depression, but have a seasonal ‘recurrent’ pattern. These may include:
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness that last for weeks or longer.
- Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
- Low energy and tired all the time.
- Issues with sleep, such getting too little or too much.
- Changes in appetite that usually result in weight gain or desire for carbohydrates.
- Problems with memory, focusing, and decision making.
- Isolation or more anger than usual.
- In extreme cases, suicidal or self-harming thoughts.
Diagnosis and Assessment at Chase Lodge Hospital
At Chase Lodge Hospital, our specialist psychiatrists and psychologists will make a full assessment and give a correct diagnosis of SAD. This includes:
- Comprehensive clinical interview to investigate the symptoms, the seasonality of the symptoms, and the extent to which the symptoms interfere with daily activities.
- Some other possible causes need to be ruled out, for example, by taking a medical and psychiatric history.
- Psychiatric assessments to come up with an individually tailored treatment plan.
Treatment Options at Chase Lodge Hospital
SAD is a manageable condition and with the right attention, individuals are able to live a much fuller life. Our facility has a variety of research-supported treatment methods:
Light Therapy (Phototherapy):
- Bright light therapy: for resetting the circadian rhythm and improvement of mood.
- One of the best SAD treatments for winter-onset SAD.
Medication:
- Depression can be treated with antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and others.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):
- This therapy brings to light people’s irrational and unwarranted thoughts related to social situations that lead to social anxiety.
- A CBT-based approach that helps people to identify negative thought patterns and learn healthier ways of coping.
- Almost none of SAD recurrence.
Diet and Lifestyle Consultations:
- Sunbathing and physical exercise in the outdoor environment.
- Establishing and maintaining good sleep and exercise patterns.
- Dietary changes for better mental health as a whole.
Support Services and Holistic Care:
- Case management and vocational rehabilitation to help with sustained recovery.
- Mindfulness-based approaches and stress reduction strategies.
