SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a type of winter depression. An estimated 500 000 people suffer from SAD during the winter (September – April). Whilst there are sufferers of all ages, the most common time for the onset of SAD is between 18 – 30 years.
SAD is thought to be caused by a biochemical imbalance occurring in the hypothalamus (a part of the brain) when daylight hours are reduced and there is a lack of sunlight. Lack of light causes an increase in the production of Melatonin (which induces sleep) and a reduction in Serotonin (the reduction of which can cause depression).
SAD is relatively common across the northern and southern hemispheres, but it's extremely rare in people living within 30 degrees of the Equator, due to the long daylight hours and constant bright light.
SAD can be a disabling illness for some suffers, preventing them from functioning without medical treatment. However, most SAD sufferers will experience SAD in a milder form and experience discomfort but not disablement in their daily lives. This is medically termed Subsyndromal SAD or more commonly 'winter blues'.
Symptoms:
Medical organisations believe that an effective and sound diagnosis of SAD can be achieved after a patient has shown symptoms of the illness for three consecutive winters.
Symptoms usually present regularly each winter, anytime between September and November and continue until March or April.
Symptoms can include:
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Fatigue, an inability to carry out normal daily tasks and daily routines. (Lethargy).
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Changes in sleep patterns: desire to sleep more or sleep to excess, difficulties in staying awake or disturbed sleep patterns with early wakening.
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Carbohydrate and sweet food cravings – often which result in weight gain.
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Anxiety, often presenting as feeling tense and being unable to tolerate daily stresses.
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Low moods, feeling loss, guilt, misery, despair and hopelessness. Some people may experience apathy and feel as though their feelings are numb or have been lost. Some may experience extremes of mood, possibly even hypomania (over activity) for short periods in autumn / spring. (Depression and anxiety may be mild or non existent in those suffering Subsyndromal SAD).
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Desire to avoid social and/or intimate contact.
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Weakened immune system, therefore more vulnerable to infections / illness.
SAD symptoms clear in spring, either suddenly or gradually usually depending on the intensity of sunlight occurring through spring and early summer.
©Stadn Ltd
