If you're feeling sad this winter it could be a sign of a bigger issue.
It is normal to feel down when the weather and seasons change. But if you feel sad for most of the day, you might not just be feeling sad, you might have SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder.
SAD is a seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that affects people mainly during the winter. Around 1 in 20 people have been diagnosed with it. It is more likely that about 10% of people suffer from SAD but don’t think their symptoms are anything more than the winter blues.
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Dr Qian Xu, co-founder and medical director at REDjuvenate Medical said: "There is still so much we don’t know about seasonal affective disorder. The exact reasons people suffer are unknown and the same factors might affect everyone differently. Research has shown that changes to your circadian rhythm, serotonin levels and melatonin play an important role in regulating your happiness through the seasons."
What causes seasonal affective disorder?
Circadian Rhythm
Your circadian rhythm is a 24-hour body cycle that some people call your internal clock. During these cycles, your body carries out essential functions and processes. The most important and well-known circadian rhythm is the sleep-wake cycle. When your circadian rhythm is optimal, it promotes consistent and restorative sleep. A decrease in sunlight can disrupt this internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.
Serotonin Levels
Serotonin is a chemical messenger that works with your nerve cells. It is sometimes known as the happy chemical and does so much more than play a role in your mood. Serotonin levels affect other things that impact how we feel, such as your sleep health, digestion, bone health and wound healing. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in your serotonin that may lead to you feeling the effects of seasonal affective disorder.
Melatonin levels
Melatonin is a hormone your brain produces in response to darkness. It helps with your body’s timings for your circadian rhythm. As the light begins to wane and we enter the dark winter months, the body’s balance of melatonin can be altered. This, in turn, can affect your sleep and your mood.
How to know if you have seasonal affective disorder
The first thing to know about seasonal affective disorder is that it isn’t just a winter problem. It is caused by a change in the seasons. You will start to feel symptoms arising as the seasons change, it won’t be like clockwork but as the light begins to fade this winter you might start noticing some of these:
- Appetite changes - we all love carbs but an increase in cravings can be a sign you have SAD.
- Loss of interest in activities - if you start to shy away from the things you usually love to do, think about if you no longer enjoy it or you just can’t find the motivation.
- Low energy - it’s normal to feel a little tired in winter but if you are sleeping enough and still feeling like you are tired you may have SAD
- Concentration problems - we all have off days, but if you start to lose focus regularly your body might be reacting to the change in the seasons.
- Oversleeping - there is nothing better than a warm and cosy bed in winter, but if you find yourself sleeping for too long and still feeling tired it is likely you are suffering from SAD.
Many people suffering from SAD can begin to feel hopeless, sometimes even worthless. The NHS advise you to seek out medical advice if you are finding it difficult to cope. As we know our health services can be stretched, particularly in winter, so here are a few things you can do to help you manage and even stop feeling SAD before it affects you.
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