Seasonal Affective Disorder: How It Can Affect You
Have you ever noticed that your mood sometimes changes as the seasons change? Have you ever felt more depressed in the winter-time and more energetic and happy in the summer months? Has the coming of spring ever felt like a relief or re-awakening?
Most of us are aware of the effects that seasonal changes from the longer and brighter days of summer to the shorter and darker days of winter can have on our moods. However, some people experience a more serious mood shift characterized by depression, feeling lethargic and fatigued, and changes in eating and sleeping patterns, to name a few. If this happens to you, you might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression related to the changes in daylight during the winter. This depression can seriously impact functioning, and some people just brush it off and try to “push through it” or attribute it simply to the stresses associated with the holiday season. In other cases, some people experience a version of SAD associated with the spring and summer months that is characterized by feelings of anxiety and irritability.
So how would you know if you are experiencing SAD? There are some very distinguishable symptoms associated with SAD. One of the main identifying factors is arrival and remission of the signs and symptoms at the same time each year based on the cyclical nature of the disorder. Although there is some variation in the types of symptoms between Winter and Summer SAD, generally they include agitation, anxiety, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, and withdrawal.
Although the cause is not truly identified, it is likely that your genetic history and your chemical makeup, including variations in melatonin and serotonin levels, are associated with the presence of SAD. Those who live in areas of the world with limited light in the winter, as well as those who have a family history of SAD, are more at risk for the disorder. Effective treatments include light therapy (to mimic the effects of sunlight), antidepressants and anxiolytics, and psychotherapy.
If you are concerned that you or someone you love is affected by SAD, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist to rule out the presence of any other disorder, determine what needs to be addressed, and help you decide on the best treatment regimen.
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Dr. Andre Judice is owner of Northshore Counseling and Wellness, a private psychotherapy practice offering individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy. She is a consultant and trainer for businesses and organizations.
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