Clocks are about to fall back for most of us, and long nights are upon us. While some people are ready to cozy up and be charmed by the comforts of winter, others feel a significant sadness this time of year.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a seasonal depression that usually occurs in the late fall and winter and, thankfully, improves with the return of spring. About 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD, and it lasts about four to five months.1 “SAD is a common problem that many members, unfortunately, experience during months with less daylight,” explains Dr. Christopher Dennis, psychiatrist and clinical behavioral health leader at Teladoc Health.
If you feel down and isolated around the same time every year—with a hankering to hibernate—that persistent pattern can be frustrating or overwhelming. “The good news is there are several effective ways to manage this condition,” Dr. Dennis says. Read on to find out if you could be suffering from SAD, and learn real ways to cope.
SAD is a type of depression, Dr. Dennis explains. Many symptoms of SAD are the same as regular depressive symptoms, but occur in a seasonal pattern. These include:
Winter SAD, specifically, includes symptoms such as:2
If you’re hibernating and having depressive thoughts along with other symptoms above, the shorter daylight hours may be knocking your biological clock or circadian rhythms out of whack. It’s time to start thinking about how to get back on track.
SAD can happen to anyone, but you’re at higher risk if you live in a colder climate far from the equator. Only 1% of people in Florida experience SAD, while 9% of those in Alaska or New England suffer from it.2 Usually SAD first begins in young adults between 18 and 30 years old.3 Women are diagnosed with SAD four times more often than men.2
History is also an important indicator for this seasonal depression. If someone in your immediate family experiences these downward patterns, you are more likely to develop SAD yourself. Your symptoms may also become worse if you have experienced depression or bipolar disorder. Production issues with either melatonin or vitamin D could also contribute to symptoms of tiredness or depression.
Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom until spring is in bloom. Effective treatments—often used in a combination method—are available that can improve SAD symptoms and help you enjoy life again. The U.S. board-licensed therapists of Teladoc can help you decide which of the following strategies may work best for you:
The most important thing to know if you’re experiencing SAD this season is that we’re here to help. Schedule a virtual visit for anytime between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time any day of the week, anywhere you are. We always start by listening so that we can understand your difficulties and help you manage them better. There’s no reason to put off hope for a better tomorrow: Act now for a brighter day.
References
1https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/seasonal-affective-disorder
2https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml
3https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/seasonal-affective-disorder
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