What’s SAD? All About Seasonal Affective Disorder

*This blog is authored by Julie Bluhm. Julie Bluhm is the Executive Director | CEO at Guild, a Minnesota nonprofit dedicated to helping those with mental illness lead fulfilling lives.

SAD stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a common disorder that causes mood changes with season changes. SAD is a type of Major Depressive Disorder that often intensifies in the fall and winter months. With about 6% of the population having SAD (most of whom live in colder climates), it’s important to be aware of any symptoms you may have.

What are the Signs?

SAD causes people to feel depressed in the fall and winter months, corresponding with colder weather and shorter days. Symptoms of SAD start to ease in the spring as the days brighten and the weather turns. That said, there is a less common type of SAD that plagues individuals in the summer.

Winter SAD Symptoms:

• Fatigue

• Low energy

• Experiencing depressed mood

• Losing interest in activities

• Appetite changes

• Struggling to concentrate normally

Summer SAD Symptoms:

• Sleeping changes

• Appetite changes

• Feeling restless

• Weight changes

What Causes SAD?

Research suggests that SAD could be caused by a number of different factors. In the winter months, changes in sunlight levels can reduce serotonin levels in the body, causing a depressed mood. The change in seasons can also increase the amount of melatonin in your body and make you more tired than normal.

People who live in colder climates, women, young adults, people who already have depression or bipolar disorder, or who have a family history of SAD may be more likely to develop SAD.

How Do You Treat SAD?

Different things work for different people. Your health care provider can help you find a treatment plan that is best for you.

Many treatments are suggested to be effective in treating SAD.

Light therapy, a treatment where you’re exposed to a lightbox in the morning, helps to mimic sunlight, which can improve mood.

Medication, such as antidepressants, can be used to treat SAD. You can work with a psychiatrist or another health care provider to figure out which medication works best for you.

Therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can help. Types of talk therapy like CBT help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns.

Maintaining healthy habits can make a difference in how you feel. It’s important to eat a balanced diet, exercise, and get a healthy amount of sleep. Meditating, practicing yoga, or simply getting outside can also help. It can also make a difference to keep in touch with your support system, even if it is over the phone or virtually.

How Can I Get Help?

Are you struggling with symptoms of SAD? Contact your health care provider or mental health team for help. Guild is a Minnesota non-profit that provides mental health services in the Twin Cities area. Interested in our services? Contact our Community Access team at (651) 925-8490.

Sources:

Seasonal Affective Disorder, National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Mayo Clinic. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health. 

Seasonal Depression, WebMD. 

Major Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern, National Alliance on Mental Illness. 

Light Therapy, Mayo Clinic. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mayo Clinic.