Written by: Victoria Nieves
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that displays in specific seasons, normally summer and winter months.
Symptoms:
- Constantly feeling depressed
- Uninterested of things you enjoyed
- Difficulty to fall asleep
- Trouble concentrating
- Constant suicidal thoughts
Symptoms may vary depending on the seasons. Fall and winter SAD may include oversleeping, tiredness, and increased appetite. On the other hand, spring and summer SAD consists of insomnia, loss of appetite, and anxiety.
Causes:
The change in levels of sunlight derange your biological clock, causing the winter or summer SAD. This change can also disrupt your serotonin and melatonin levels, hence greater consequences. These are some of the factors that increase the risks of SAD, the actual cause for it to happen is yet to be discovered.
According to Kelly Rohan, Director of Clinical Training at the University of Vermont, about 2% of the population suffers from SAD. Additionally, if you already have a history with mental health disorders you have a higher chance of bearing this condition. If you go in for an evaluation to see if, you are in fact, experiencing this condition, you’ll most likely encounter a physical exam, lab tests psychological evaluation, and DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
This year has taken an excruciating toll on everyone. It comes as no surprise that our mental health has been thoroughly affected as well. Most people are already worried about the spread of COVID-19, and with such an uncertain landscape, we tend to channel all of our attention into worrisome and forget to take a look at ourselves and the effects that these unexpected events have had on our mental health. Even before the spread of the virus, SAD was already misinterpreted as the “winter blues” or being “burnt out”. It’s very important that if you have any of these symptoms, you communicate with a healthcare professional that treats this disorder, the first step to dealing with a mental health problem is identifying it. It’s pertinent to get treated for the disorder before any distressing consequences occur, such as substance abuse, unmotivation to socialize or for daily tasks, change in appetite or sleeping patterns, and even suicide.
Treatment includes phototherapy (exposure to light), medication (antidepressants), psychotherapy (talking to a therapist), and relaxation techniques. You can also contribute with other lifestyle changes such as making a brighter environment, exercise, and going outside more often.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/depression/ss/slideshow-seasonal-affective-disorder