Seasonal affective disorder may come with shorter days
As days become shorter in the fall, many of us may begin to feel down and experience other symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Gloria Dei’s Mental Health and Recovery Ministry offers this helpful information about SAD from The Mayo Clinic.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — seasonal affective disorder 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. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months. Treatment for SAD may include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications.
Symptoms
In most cases, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Less commonly, people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses. Signs and symptoms of may include:
- Feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day.
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.
- Having low energy and feeling sluggish.
- Having problems with sleeping too much.
- Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain.
- Having difficulty concentrating.
- Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty.
- Having thoughts of not wanting to live.
Fall and winter SAD
Symptoms specific to winter-onset, sometimes called winter depression, may include:
- Oversleeping
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Tiredness or low energy
Spring and summer SAD
Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Agitation or anxiety
- Increased irritability
Seasonal changes and bipolar disorder
People who have bipolar disorder are at increased risk of seasonal affective disorder. In some people with bipolar disorder, episodes of mania may be linked to a specific season. For example, spring and summer can bring on symptoms of mania or a less intense form of mania (hypomania), anxiety, agitation and irritability. They may also experience depression during the fall and winter months.
When to see a doctor
It’s normal to have some days when you feel down. But if you feel down for days at a time and you can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, see your health care provider. This is especially important if your sleep patterns and appetite have changed, you turn to alcohol for comfort or relaxation, or you feel hopeless or think about suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and their loved ones. Call or text 988 or go to https://988lifeline.org.
