Chilly weather means comfort to those who love hot cocoa and detest humidity. However, there are some that experience mostly discomfort until spring arrives. For these people, it’s more than a distaste for cold — they’re experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The disorder, commonly known as SAD, is an annual ailment where sufferers face mood changes, lack of energy, inability to concentrate, cravings for excessive carbohydrates, sleepy days, and disinterest in favored activities, among other things.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute of Mental Health does not classify SAD separately than other types of depression. “It is a type of depression displaying a recurring seasonal pattern. To be diagnosed with SAD, people must meet full criteria for major depression coinciding with specific seasons,” for at least two years.
Though the timing of SAD is apparent, the cause is not fully known. Research is showing that those with SAD may overproduce melatonin, have trouble regulating serotonin, and might produce inadequate Vitamin D. Family history may play a part, as does gender and location.
Women are much more likely to suffer from SAD, and the further away from the equator you live, the more likely you are to
have the condition. (SAD can happen in summer, as well, but rather than lethargy, a symptom might be aggressiveness.)
If you dislike the winter and crave comfort while still maintaining your work, family, and social obligations, chances are you’re not suffering from SAD. However, if it feels like your life grinds to a halt during the colder, darker months, a mental health professional will help determine if what you have is more than just a case of the winter blahs. Let him or her know if there’s a family history of depression, bipolar and/or other mood disorders, if you experience any ill effects from gluten, and for how many years you’ve noticed the seasonal changes.
If a SAD diagnosis is made, treatment abounds from spending the winters in the south to Vitamin D supplements. A doctor may prescribe antidepressant medication in conjunction with light therapy for mild symptoms and recommend talk therapy for more heightened stressors. One treatment beneficial for all is getting outdoors and increasing physical activity. Take a walk without your sunglasses, but with sunscreen for exposures of more than a few minutes.
Weight gain from the combo of cravings and exhaustion may no longer be an issue once a treatment plan provides more energy. If severe winter conditions limit you to sitting near a window rather than taking a stroll, tweaks in your diet will curb your expansion. Swap a cup of coffee with green tea, get your protein from nuts, grains, greens, and beans, and eat berries. Even if they come frozen, almost everyone gets a boost from enjoying the fruits we love in summer when there’s frost all around.
This article is not a substitute for medical treatment.
