Seasonal Affective Disorder
The winter months bring cold, bitter weather, and shorter daylight hours. It seems like the day starts before the sun comes up and ends long after the sun has set. The on-set of winter seems to have an adverse affect on the day to day life of many people. This abrupt change of season sometimes causes a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
“Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, with symptoms occurring in the winter months and diminishing in the spring and summer,” said Gary Tester, LCSW, Outpatient Coordinator at Hamilton’s Westcott Outpatient Service. “A common condition which affects up to eight percent of adults in the United States, Seasonal Affective Disorder is believed to be influenced by the absence of sunlight. While it was once thought that changes in melatonin were the culprit, research now indicates seasonal (i.e., sunlight) changes disrupt one’s circadian rhythm, triggering depressive symptoms.”
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, including loss of energy, decreased activity, sadness, irritability, anxiety, excessive eating and sleeping, social withdrawal, and lack of alertness occur when our body’s 24 hour cycle is disrupted.
“The twenty-four hour cycle is controlled by bright light such as the sun and a change in the seasons brings a change in the body’s exposure to sun,” said Tester. “Therefore, the most common treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder is bright artificial sunlight therapy. Light, like water and air, is essential to our wellbeing.”
Light therapy involves exposure to intense light (about 10-20 times brighter than ordinary indoor light) for a period of time each day. This therapy enables people to feel as good in the winter as they do in the summer. Research states that up to 80 percent of patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder will have a positive response to light treatment. Morning light appears to be more beneficial than light at other times of the day. Light therapy is a specific type of therapy administered by commercial light boxes, that have filters to prevent any significant exposure to ultraviolet light (tanning booths are NOT a good substitute for natural sunlight).
Although medications can be given for Seasonal Affective Disorder, the best prescription for combating this condition is participating in activities in which you benefit from natural light such as morning walks or afternoon strolls, even on overcast days.. Keeping your home well-lit and allowing sunlight in are important. Maintaining a healthy diet plan and an energizing exercise regimen will also contribute to a happy winter season.
“Remember, depression is typically a multi-causation disease, requiring several modes of treatment. Few people have SAD in isolation from other factors. Suicide rates are actually relatively low in December when the hours of daylight are fewest. Suicide rates typically begin climbing in January and peak in April. If you or a loved one suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder, it is important to seek appropriate treatment. If you would like more information about Seasonal Affective Disorder or need an evaluation for problems with depression, please call Hamilton’s Westcott Center Outpatient Office at (706) 272-6560.

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