S.A.D - Seasonal Affective Disorder; Changes in seasons (including environment, weather and time) can effect our Mental Health, causing depression and other symptoms that can lead to serious concerns. S.A.D typically begins to effect those with a higher chance of the disorder around the same times every year. You may find symptoms starting in the fall, usually around seasonal time changes and continue into the winter months, draining your emotions, energy and physical state. Often becoming easily agitated, and less interested in daily activities.
Depending on severity and other Mental Illnesses treatments for S.A.D may involve light therapy, psychotherapy and medications to treat symptoms.
You are not alone in your 'Winter Blues' battles. Take them serious, take the proper steps to taking care of yourself, regulating your Thoughts, Behaviors and Emotions throughout the tougher, darker months and year.
It's normal to feel down and unmotivated some days. If you find yourself feeling this way for a few days unable to get motivated to do normal activates and the things you normally enjoy, if your sleep patterns and appetite have changed, you turn to alcohol for comfort or relaxation, or you feel hopeless or think about suicide seek health care.
Some signs and symptoms of Seasonal affective disorder, may include:
- Feeling depressed, sad, unmotivated, almost every day
- Zero interest in daily activities and chores
- No energy, moving slow, sluggish, groggy
- Sleeping often but never feeling like having enough sleep
- Oversleeping
- Some may experience anxiety
- Some experience weight gain or weight loss
- Lack of concentration, focusing, or multitasking
- Feeling guilty, as if you are a burden to others
- Having negative thoughts, not wanting to live
- Self-harm
For those with other Mental Illnesses such as bipolar disorder, anti-social disorders, Borderline Personality Disorders, are at increased risk of seasonal affective disorder. In some cases episodes of mania may be linked to a specific season, time of year, or sudden change in life.
The specific cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder remains unknown. Some factors may include;
- Our circadian rhythm- Internal Clocks With sudden changes and reduced sunlight in the fall and winter months may contribute to S.A.D. This decrease amount of sunlight we get disrupts our body's internal clock and can lead to feelings of emptiness and depression.
- Chemical Imbalance (Serotonin levels) Lack of sunlight can reduce our serotonin levels contributing to depression. Serotonin, is a chemical in our brain (neurotransmitter) that affects our emotions.
- Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body's level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.
Seasonal Affective Disorder signs and symptoms should be taken seriously. As with any mental health complications seek professional care. Untreated S.A.D could lead to further complications with
- Social withdrawal
- School or work problems
- Substance abuse
- Further mental health complications with anxiety and depression
- Self-Harm, Negative thoughts and emotions
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Like many Mental Illnesses Seasonal Affective Disorder cannot be prevented.
We can manage our symptoms preventing them from getting worse over time.
With further understanding of your own mental health we can become more aware of what leads to S.A.D. and what steps to take to prevent what leads to our symptoms before they start.
