Key signs you may have seasonal affective disorder without even realising it
As the winter months approach and the days continue to get shorter, many of us will already be longing for spring and summer to come back around and bring some sunshine to our otherwise dreary days. For around 2 million Brits though, the winter is made even more difficult by the onset of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that people experience during particular seasons or times of year.
Sometimes referred to as "winter depression" or the "winter blues", SAD is usually more apparent and more severe during the colder months, although some people may find their symptoms actually get better in the winter and are instead worse during the summer. The exact cause of SAD is not fully understood, but there are warning signs you can look out for that may suggest you're experiencing the common mental health problem.
According to the mental health charity Mind, there are 12 key symptoms of SAD that you can look out for when evaluating your own health and the way you are feeling during the winter. Among these include symptoms such as having an overall lack of energy or feeling anxious, as well as having difficulty concentrating and losing interest in sex.
The 12 key signs of SAD:
- Lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty being social
- Feeling sad, low, tearful, guilty or hopeless
- Feeling anxious or angry
- Being more prone to colds, infections or other illnesses
- Sleeping too much or having difficulty waking up
- Sleeping too little, or waking up a lot
- Changes in appetite
- Losing interest in sex
- Lack of human physical touch
- Symptoms of depression
According to the NHS, you may also be experiencing SAD if you have a distinct craving for carbohydrates and have found yourself gaining weight as a result. The NHS also lists many of the same symptoms as Mind, and recommends you contact your GP if you believe you have SAD and are "struggling to cope". On their website, they state: "The GP can carry out an assessment to check your mental health. They may ask you about your mood, lifestyle, eating habits and sleeping patterns, plus any seasonal changes in your thoughts and behaviour."
The exact cause of SAD is not known, but the NHS reports it's often linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the winter, as it's believed this might stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus working properly. The theory is that this can have a knock-on effect on things including the production of serotonin - which impacts your mood and appetite - as well as melatonin, which is the hormone that makes you sleepy.
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Treatments for SAD will vary from person to person, but the NHS says that the main treatments include talking therapies such as counselling, lifestyle changes such as exercising and getting as much natural sunlight as possible, and light therapy, which involves a special lamp known as a light box that simulates exposure to sunlight.
If you believe you are experiencing SAD and want further guidance, you can contact Mind's infoline via email at [email protected], or on the phone at 0300 123 3393. You may also find other organisations helpful such as CALM, which can be contacted via their website or on 0800 58 58 58, or the Samaritans, who can be reached on 116 123.
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