With daylight saving behind us and snow expected in the Upper Midwest and East Coat, according to the National Weather Service, winter conditions are right around the corner for many in the U.S.
Along with colder temperatures and less sunlight, around .5 to 3 percent of the general population are expected to experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This condition is a form of depression that begins and ends at the same time annually.
“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,” said the Mayo Clinic. Some people develop the condition in the spring or early summer, though this is less common.
“There are other kinds of stressors, but I’ve noticed a trend in general that as fall and winter approach, I tend to get more calls versus in the spring and summer,” Dr. Shacunda Rodgers, a clinical psychologist, recently told the Sacramento Bee.
Specific symptoms include: feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day; losing interest in activities; low energy; sleeping problems changes in appetite or weight; feeling sluggish or agitated; difficulty concentrating; feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty and frequent thoughts of death or suicide.
Oversleeping and weight gain are common symptoms of winter-related SAD.
Though the cause of SAD is unknown, it could be tied to the impact reduced sun has on serotonin, melatonin and circadian rhythm, said the Mayo Clinic.
Anyone who feels down for days at a time and is having a difficult time getting motivated to participate in activities should contact their doctor. The Huffington Post offered some tips for dealing with the day-to-day impact of SAD.
1. Get sunlight when you can
2. Exercise regularly
3. Eat citrus fruits, green vegetables and make sure you get vitamin D
4. Try light box therapy
5. See a cognitive behavioral therapist
Other resources for people struggling with mental health conditions include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.
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