Everything You Need To Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder

MayoClinic.org defines Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as, “A type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons,” and that, “SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.” (MayoClinic.org)

According to Cleveland Clinic, SAD typically begins in young adulthood. 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD. Although it is not known why, it tends to impact women more than man. Specifically, 75% of those who get SAD are females.
What causes seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

• Biological Clock Change
• Chemical Imbalance
• Vitamin D Deficit
• Melatonin Boost
• Negative Thoughts

What are some of the symptoms for SAD?

• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Hopelessness or Worthlessness
• Losing interest in activities you tend to enjoy.
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Irritability
• Sleeping More

It is important to mention the specific symptomology based on Winter-Onset & Summer-Onset SAD: Fall/Winter SAD

• Oversleeping
• Gain in weight
• Low energy

Spring/Summer SAD

• Insomnia
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Anxiety

There are multiple effective ways to treat SAD. The National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov) goes into depth about the effectiveness of Light Therapy in treating SAD, “Since the 1980s, light therapy has been a mainstay for the treatment of SAD. It aims to expose people with SAD to a bright light every day to make up for the diminished natural sunshine in the darker months”. Additionally, the institute mentions other effective treatments, including: antidepressant medications, Vitamin D, and psychotherapy.

In St. Louis, you can contact a therapist or counselor at:
Dr. Lena Pearlman & Associates
STLmentalhealth.com
314-942-1147