WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
• Hypersomnia, or
oversleeping
• Overeating that leads to
weight gain. Th e NIMH
notes people with SAD
may have a particular
craving for carbohydrates.
• Social withdrawal
How is SAD
treated?
People who suspect they
have SAD are urged to
speak with their physicians. Various treatments, including light
therapy, psychotherapy or antidepressant medications, can help
to treat SAD. Individuals may also be prescribed vitamin D
supplements.
Can I prevent SAD?
Th e NIMH notes that since SAD is tied to seasonal changes,
people can take steps in an eff ort to prevent it. Starting treatments
Many people experience diffi culty when fall transitions to winter,
and such troubles may be attributable to SAD. More information
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There’s much to look forward to when winter begins.
Outdoor enthusiasts may relish a return to the slopes
to ski or snowboard each winter, while others praise the
crisp fresh air and lack of insects as more conducive to activities
like hiking.
Winter indeed has plenty to off er, but some people fi nd that
less daylight has an adverse eff ect on their mood. Th e National
Institutes of Mental Health notes that shifts in mood and behavior
that align with changes in the seasons could be indicative
of seasonal aff ective disorder, also known as SAD.
What is SAD?
Johns Hopkins Medicine characterizes SAD as a form of
depression in which individuals’ mood and behavior changes
when the seasons change. Th e NIMH notes SAD is sometimes
referred to as the “winter blues.”
Is SAD exclusive to winter?
Th ough SAD can aff ect people at any time of year, the NIMH
reports that most cases of SAD start to aff ect people in late fall
or early winter before symptoms begin to subside during the
spring and summer. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes researchers
believe the shorter days and thus fewer hours of daylight that
occur each winter set off a chemical change in the brain that
leads to a person experiencing symptoms of depression.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
Th e NIMH points out that, since SAD is a type of depression,
symptoms of the condition include those associated with depression.
Such symptoms include:
• A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood most of the day.
Th is occurs 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
• Loss of energy or feelings of fatigue. Some also feel as if they
have slowed down.
• Diffi culty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Changes in sleep or appetite or unplanned weight changes
• Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
that have no explanation and do not subside even after
treatment
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts or thoughts about death
It’s important to note that the above are symptoms of depression
that people with SAD may experience. Additional symptoms
of winter-pattern SAD include:
prior to a change in seasons may help.
about SAD is available at www.nimh.nih.gov.
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