What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Everyone has their favorite seasons and preferred types of weather. Some people love snowy winters, while others love scorching hot summers. But about 10 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which causes people to feel depressed during the same seasons every year.

What is seasonal affective disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder is a recurrent depressive disorder where people experience depressive episodes during the same seasons year after year. For most people, their symptoms start and end at the same time annually. SAD most commonly affects people in the cold winter months, and is sometimes referred to as the “winter blues.”

People who experience SAD in the fall or winter usually feel much better during the spring and summer months. From April to October, it’s almost as if their depression doesn’t exist at all. Conversely, it’s also possible for people to experience SAD during the warmer months. However, summer depression is much less common than winter depression.

The research on SAD isn’t extensive, but doctors have a general understanding of who suffers from SAD the most. The disorder is four times more common in women than in men, and the onset age is usually between 18 and 30 years old. Many people who have been diagnosed with SAD have at least one relative who suffers from a psychiatric disorder, such as severe depression or alcohol abuse issues.

For a majority of people, their SAD is relatively mild. While they might feel depressed, sad, or lethargic, it doesn’t interfere with their ability to carry out everyday tasks. However, a small percentage of people experience SAD symptoms that affect their quality of life, and about 6% require hospitalization.

What are the symptoms of SAD?

Everyone experiences SAD symptoms differently. Some people might suffer from one or two symptoms, whereas others deal with a multitude of side effects. In most cases, symptoms start out as mild and get worse as the season progresses. The most common symptoms of winter SAD include:

  • Feeling anxious or irritable
  • Trouble making decisions
  • Consistently low mood
  • Crying for no reason
  • Feeling tired, no matter how much sleep you get
  • Increased appetite or weight gain
  • Social withdrawal 

For people who experience SAD during the spring and summer months, the symptoms are slightly different. In fact, people who suffer from SAD during the warmer months tend to experience symptoms more aligned with anxiety, rather than depression. The symptoms of warm weather SAD include:

  • Loss of appetite or weight loss
  • Trouble sleeping or insomnia
  • Agitation
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Episodes of violent behavior

In order to get diagnosed with SAD, a person must exhibit signs of major depression that coincide with specific seasons, for at least two years in a row. They must also show symptoms of seasonal depression more frequently than non-seasonal depression. For that reason, it’s difficult to diagnose someone with SAD if they suffer from depression year-round.

What causes SAD?

The exact cause of SAD is unknown. However, doctors believe that seasonal depression is likely caused by reduced sunlight, which can trigger chemical imbalances in the brain. During the spring and summer months, most people get exposed to roughly 15 hours of daylight, whereas in the winter, most people get less than 10 hours of daylight.

In the winter, the brain produces less serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood. Additionally, reduced exposure to sunlight during the fall and winter could lower the amount of melatonin in the body, which impacts sleep patterns and can disrupt the circadian rhythm. Additionally, the body naturally produces less vitamin D in the winter, due to the lack of sunlight.

Where you live can also increase your likelihood of developing SAD. People who live far north and south of the equator are at an increased risk, as well as people with a family history of depression. One study found that just 1 percent of people who live in Florida experience SAD, whereas 9 percent of people who live in New England or Alaska suffer from SAD.

Treatment for SAD

SAD isn’t curable, but the symptoms can be well managed using a variety of treatments. Many therapists recommend psychotherapy to help people find healthy ways to cope with winter. Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and behavioral activation can help people find activities that are engaging and enjoyable during the winter months, both indoors or outdoors.

For people who deal with moderate to severe SAD, medication can be prescribed to help manage the symptoms. Certain Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and antidepressants are approved by the FDA to treat SAD. Vitamin D supplements may also be recommended if a lack of sunlight is an issue.

Another common treatment for SAD is light therapy, which uses artificial light to mimic the effects of natural sunlight during the fall and winter months. People who experience SAD are instructed to sit in front of a lightbox first thing in the morning for about 20-60 minutes. In order for lightboxes to be effective, the person has to expose themselves to the light every day during the fall and winter months, or whenever their symptoms are most prevalent. 

Can TMS help SAD?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy can also be beneficial for people with SAD, especially if they haven’t responded well to other forms of treatment. TMS uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate areas of the brain that are less active in people with SAD. It’s an FDA-approved treatment that doesn’t require anesthesia, and it has minimal side effects.

During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the patient’s forehead, which generates small pulses that pass through the skull and stimulate the area of the brain that regulates mood. Each session lasts less than 20 minutes, and there’s no downtime after treatment. Depending on the severity of the depression, most people get treatment for several months in order to see noticeable results.

If you’re dealing with seasonal depression that hasn’t improved with conventional treatments, check out our testimonials page to see how TMS has helped our clients overcome their depression. If you’re ready to learn more, contact us today for a free assessment.