What exactly is seasonal affective disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also commonly known as seasonal depression, is normally minimized when considering its effects and consequences on individuals. In reality however, SAD is a very real disorder, with serious impacts and consequences on individuals and their lives.
SAD is a form of depression, whose effects are correlated with the change of seasons. Though most commonly associated with the change to the winter season, many can also feel its effects when entering warm weather. Overall, SAD is caused by the changes in any season, because of the disturbance in the regularity of factors such as sunlight and temperature, which lead to the symptoms and effects of SAD.
Signs and symptoms of the disorder include having feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, having low energy, difficulty concentrating, in addition to many other emotions. There are particular side effects felt in certain seasons, such as in summer, individuals often suffer weight loss and poor appetite, while in winter, individuals suffer weight gain and appetite changes.
There’s certain criteria people must meet to match the criteria for SAD, however, many can feel the effects of seasonal changes, despite not having SAD.
Though there’s no particular cause to SAD, some things that can increase one’s probability is one’s serotonin or melatonin levels, family history, or having major depressive disorder.
There’s no prevention for SAD, however, SAD is nothing that people need to just ‘deal with.’ It’s a justified mental illness, and individuals may need to seek help from professionals. Those who suffer from SAD can treat it by taking vitamin D, medications, psychotherapy (particularly cognitive behavioural therapy), and light treatment. Those feeling the effects of seasonal changes can also benefit from simple tasks such as going outside, exercising, and being active earlier in the day
Seasonal affective disorder is something a lot of people deal with, but is largely not fully understood, or not talked about. SAD is a mental health disease that can be treated with the right help. Those suffering do not need to go through it alone.
If you need help, reach out…
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: HELLO to 741741
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