Symptoms and treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
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EmailLearn how to recognize and treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a serious condition that occurs during a certain time of the year, usually in the fall or winter when the days become shorter, and temperatures are lower. SAD can be a cyclical pattern of depression during winter months, with improvement during other times of the year. Common symptoms of SAD are the same as other depressive disorders. Symptoms include persistent sadness, anxiety, lack of energy, lack of pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable, sleep problems, feelings of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and craving carbohydrates, which could lead to fluctuations in weight.
SAD is more commonly diagnosed in women than men and affects more young people than older adults, with the age of onset typically in early adulthood. Someone’s risk of developing SAD is also increased if depression or other types of mental illness run in the family, or if where you live experiences substantial differences in daylight hours from one season to the next. The exact cause of the disorder is unknown; however, there is evidence that SAD stems from disruptions in daily bodily rhythms due to reduced exposure to sunlight.
There are effective treatments that can help individuals feel better and recover regardless of the weather or time of year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, these are:
- Increased Vitamin D levels. SAD is associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Since this nutrient comes from the sun and the condition mainly occurs during times of decreased exposure to sunlight, increasing your levels has been shown to improve mood. Although vitamin D can be purchased over the counter, it is best to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.
- Psychotherapy. Talking to a mental health therapist has been found to be effective in treating SAD or other types of depression. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most used intervention because it teaches strategies to challenge negative seasonal related thoughts, that impact behaviors.
- Light therapy. Exposure to bright light therapy through the use of lamps or boxes mimics the impact that outdoor light has on the brain and may increase serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good hormones that lift your mood and positively impact other symptoms of depression, like lack of motivation.
- Medication. Physicians sometimes prescribe antidepressant medication in combination with the therapies listed above.
SAD is a serious form of depression that can impact the way one feels, thinks, connects with others and takes care of themself. If you have questions about symptoms experienced, talk to a professional. Identifying if you are feeling winter blues or SAD symptoms can help you in next steps for professional or self-care.
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension offers online and in-person educational programming that contributes to the understanding of adult mental and emotional well-being, such as Adult Mental Health First Aid, Managing Farm Stress and Mindfulness for Better Sleep.
