Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects around 2 million people in the UK and can be particularly difficult during the winter months.Here are some signs to look out for
As winter approaches and the days grow shorter, many of us are already looking forward to the return of spring and summer to bring some sunshine to our gloomy days. But for around two million Britons, winter is made even more difficult by the onset of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression experienced during certain seasons and times.
SAD, sometimes referred to as “winter depression” or “winter blues,” is typically more pronounced and severe during the colder months, but symptoms actually improve in the winter and return to normal in the summer. Some people get worse. Although the exact cause of SAD is not fully understood, there are warning signs you can look out for that suggest you are experiencing a common mental health problem.
According to the mental health charity heart, there are 12 main symptoms of SAD that you can look out for when assessing your health and how you’re feeling this winter. These include symptoms such as a general lack of energy and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and loss of interest in sex.
12 key signs of SAD:
- lack of energy
- decreased concentration
- Difficulty being sociable
- Feeling sad, depressed, tearful, guilty or hopeless
- feeling anxious or angry
- Increased susceptibility to colds, infections, and other illnesses
- Sleeping too much or having difficulty waking up
- Sleeping too little or waking up too often
- change in appetite
- lose interest in sex
- lack of human physical contact
- symptoms of depression
According to the NHS, you may also be experiencing SAD if you notice that you have a noticeable craving for carbohydrates and are gaining weight as a result. The NHS also lists many of the same symptoms as Mind, and recommends contacting your GP if you think you have SAD and are “struggling to cope”. on their websitethey say: “Your GP can carry out an assessment to check your mental health. They will look at your mood, lifestyle, eating habits and sleep patterns as well as and may ask you about seasonal changes in your thinking and behavior.
The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but the NHS reports that SAD is often caused by reduced exposure to sunlight during the winter, which prevents a part of the brain called the hypothalamus from functioning properly. It is thought that it may disappear. The theory is that this could have a knock-on effect on things like serotonin production, which affects mood and appetite, and melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy.
Treatments for SAD vary from person to person, but according to the NHS, the main treatments include talking therapies such as counseling, lifestyle changes such as exercise and getting as much natural light as possible, and special treatments known as ‘SAD’. This includes light therapy that uses lamps. A light box that simulates exposure to sunlight.
If you think you are experiencing SAD and would like further guidance, you can contact Mind’s information line by email. [email protected], or call us on 0300 123 3393. Other organizations such as CALM may also be helpful. their website or 0800 58 58 58, or SamaritanPlease contact us on 116 123.
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