Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder

May 15, 2015

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by seasonal changes, usually at its worst in winter months. As SAD is both a physiological and psychological response to natural changes in the day/night cycle and exposure to daylight, it can be easy to dismiss this feeling as “winter blues”. However, SAD is a serious medical condition that can have long-term impacts upon your health and wellbeing.

Symptoms

As with other types of depression, SAD comes and goes depending upon a variety of psychological, emotional, physiological and environmental factors. However, SAD typically follows a seasonal pattern. The most common pattern is for symptoms to appear during late autumn or early winter, worsening during the winter months, and easing with the approach of spring and summer.
SAD can also follow a more unusual pattern, with symptoms appearing in late spring or early summer. People affected by summer-onset SAD often have different symptoms to people with winter-onset SAD. These can include insomnia, weight loss, poor appetite, agitation and anxiety.

Treatments

The good news is that there are many ways in which SAD can be managed! Saltuary provides some of the key services to keep you up beat over the winter months. From Acupuncture to Naturopathy – we have a solution for you. Visit, email or call us to discuss the most suitable treatments for you.

Remember to:
1. Listen to your body— monitor your mood and energy levels
2. Soak up healthy vitamin D—take advantage of available sunlight
3. Look forward to something—plan fun activities for the winter season
4. Keep active—create a regular exercise plan
5. Stay positive—surround yourself with what makes you happy (e.g. music, books, friends)
6. Ask for help—don’t be afraid to seek professional assessment and guidance if you need it. The earlier you get the help you need, the better!

Interesting facts

Did you know?
• SAD is more common in women than men
• SAD usually appears around age 20; risk decreases with age
• Many people with SAD report at least one close relative with a psychiatric disorder
• SAD is probably triggered by changing melatonin levels in the body
• SAD is more common the further north you live

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