It’s that time of year when the warmth of summer is fading and dark clouds are forming in the sky as winter draws near.
It is normal to feel down when the weather and seasons change, however, if you feel sad for most of the day, you might not just be feeling sad, you might have SAD.
SAD is a seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that affects people mainly during the winter. Around one in 20 people have been diagnosed with the condition, according to a report by REDjuvenate Medical.
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They claim that it is likely that about 10% of people suffer from SAD but do not think their symptoms are anything more than the winter blues.
The first thing to know about seasonal affective disorder is that it isn’t just a winter problem., but it is caused by a change in the seasons. People will start to feel symptoms arising as the seasons change, some of which include:
- Appetite changes.
- Loss of interest in activities, shying away from the things you usually love to do or you just can’t find the motivation.
- Oversleeping, if you find yourself sleeping for too long and still feeling tired it is likely you are suffering from SAD.
- Low energy.
- Concentration problems, if you start to lose focus regularly your body might be reacting to the change in the seasons.
- A persistent low mood.
The exact cause of SAD is not fully known, but it is often linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days.
Research has shown that changes to your circadian rhythm, serotonin levels and melatonin play an important role in regulating your happiness through the seasons. The lack of sunlight is thought to stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus working properly, which may affect the:
Circadian Rhythm: Your circadian rhythm is a 24-hour body cycle that some people call your internal clock. 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, which 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. As we enter the dark winter months, the body’s balance of melatonin can be altered which, in turn, can affect your sleep and mood.
The NHS advise you to consider seeing the GP if you think you might have SAD and if you're struggling to cope. They may ask you about your mood, lifestyle, eating habits and sleeping patterns, plus any seasonal changes in your thoughts and behaviour.
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