Sometimes known as ‘winter depression,’ seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a kind of depression that’s related to seasons or times of the year. It usually affects people during autumn and winter, with people experiencing symptoms of depression during the colder months, but in some rare cases, it can also affect people during summer.
It’s common to feel a little low during the winter months. As the nights become longer and the temperature drops, you may feel as though you’re more irritable or have much less energy than you did when it was sunny. However, while many of us can experience low mood during winter, seasonal affective disorder can have a severe impact on daily life.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
Much like other forms of depression, SAD can affect people in different ways, and it can also vary from season to season. Typically, people who are affected by SAD experience the following symptoms:
- A persistent, low mood
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish, anxious and easily irritated
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Becoming less sociable
- More prone to colds, infections or other illnesses
- Loss of interest in sex or physical contact
- Suicidal feelings
Symptoms of SAD typically last around 4 to 5 months every year. Winter SAD can cause symptoms that differ from those experienced by people who have summer SAD. For example, a typical symptom for people who have summer SAD is insomnia, while those who experience winter SAD may suffer from hypersomnia, or oversleeping.
What is the cause of SAD?
The specific cause of SAD remains unknown, but it’s understood that there are several factors that could come into play, these include:
- Biological clock disruption
Your body clock (circadian rhythm) is an internal clock that regulates essential internal functions and processes, such as your sleep-wake cycle. It’s thought that the low levels of sunlight during the winter months may disrupt your circadian rhythm, leading to feelings of depression.
- Serotonin levels
Research suggests that people who suffer from SAD may have reduced serotonin levels, which is the chemical that helps regulate mood, emotions, appetite and digestion. Serotonin is affected by light, with low levels of light during the winter resulting in reduced levels of serotonin production.
- Melatonin levels
Some research suggests that people who are affected by SAD produce too much melatonin, which is a hormone that maintains your sleep-wake cycle. Low light affects melatonin levels, leading to feelings of sleepiness and low energy levels.
When does SAD usually start?
Symptoms associated with SAD usually start in the autumn or winter and begin to improve during the spring, which is known as winter-pattern SAD, or winter depression. The less common summer-pattern SAD, or summer depression starts in the spring and summer months and goes away during autumn and winter.
How is SAD diagnosed?
There are many kinds of depression that have the same or similar symptoms to SAD, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Confirming a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder may take several years, and will largely depend on whether:
- You’ve had symptoms during the same seasons for two or more years
- Your depression periods are followed by periods without depression
- There are any other explanations or causes for your mood changes
Who is at risk of developing SAD?
Around 2 million people are affected by SAD in the UK, and 12 million people across northern Europe. It can affect anyone, but it’s more prevalent in women than men and it occurs more frequently in younger adults. The factors that may increase your risk of developing SAD include:
- Family history
You may be more likely to develop SAD if your blood relatives suffer from it, or if they suffer from illnesses such as major depression or schizophrenia. The risk is far greater in first-degree relatives, such as parents or siblings, with approximately 15% of SAD sufferers having a first-degree relative who also suffer from the condition.
- Suffering from depression
If you already suffer from some form of depression or bipolar disorder, especially bipolar II disorder, you may experience worsening symptoms during the winter months. Additionally, you may develop SAD if you have ADHD, an eating disorder, anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
- Living far from the equator
Seasonal affective disorder is far more common in people who live far north or south of the equator. This is generally understood to be because of the decreased sunlight during the winter months.
Are there any treatments available for SAD?
There are treatments available for those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which can be used alone, or in combination. After diagnosis, your GP will recommend the most suitable option based on the nature and severity of your symptoms, to get the best possible results. These treatments fall into 4 main categories:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT is a form of psychological ‘talking therapy’ that’s used to treat a range of mental health problems. Generally, it’s used to help people recognise unhelpful or negative thought patterns. In terms of SAD, cognitive behavioural therapy will focus on helping people replace negative thoughts they may have about the winter season with more positive thoughts. It may also involve scheduling time outdoors to combat any loss of interest they might experience during winter.
- Antidepressant medications
Antidepressant medications may be prescribed to treat SAD when symptoms occur. Those who suffer from SAD usually have lower levels of serotonin, which is why selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the preferred antidepression type.
- Vitamin D
Many people who suffer with SAD tend to have lower levels of vitamin D, which is why vitamin D supplements are recommended to help improve symptoms. However, studies have found that using vitamin D to combat seasonal affective disorder has mixed findings.
- Light therapy
Using light therapy is highly effective for some people who suffer with SAD. It involves using a special lamp, called a light box, to imitate the real sunlight that’s missing during the winter months. Usually, it’s recommended that people who suffer from SAD sit by a light box for around 30 minutes each morning.
Are there any other alternatives?
Other alternatives such as Digital windows and ceilings can mimic the sunlight lost during the winter months by recreating natural views and lighting patterns inside. Living Windows can display real-time, moving images that emulate the full days’ cycle, which helps regulate the circadian rhythm.
Find out more about Sky Inside products [link to contact us page]
Sometimes known as ‘winter depression,’ seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a kind of depression that’s related to seasons or times of the year. It usually affects people during autumn and winter, with people experiencing symptoms of depression during the colder months, but in some rare cases, it can also affect people during summer.
It’s common to feel a little low during the winter months. As the nights become longer and the temperature drops, you may feel as though you’re more irritable or have much less energy than you did when it was sunny. However, while many of us can experience low mood during winter, seasonal affective disorder can have a severe impact on daily life.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
Much like other forms of depression, SAD can affect people in different ways, and it can also vary from season to season. Typically, people who are affected by SAD experience the following symptoms:
- A persistent, low mood
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish, anxious and easily irritated
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Becoming less sociable
- More prone to colds, infections or other illnesses
- Loss of interest in sex or physical contact
- Suicidal feelings
Symptoms of SAD typically last around 4 to 5 months every year. Winter SAD can cause symptoms that differ from those experienced by people who have summer SAD. For example, a typical symptom for people who have summer SAD is insomnia, while those who experience winter SAD may suffer from hypersomnia, or oversleeping.
What is the cause of SAD?
The specific cause of SAD remains unknown, but it’s understood that there are several factors that could come into play, these include:
- Biological clock disruption
Your body clock (circadian rhythm) is an internal clock that regulates essential internal functions and processes, such as your sleep-wake cycle. It’s thought that the low levels of sunlight during the winter months may disrupt your circadian rhythm, leading to feelings of depression.
- Serotonin levels
Research suggests that people who suffer from SAD may have reduced serotonin levels, which is the chemical that helps regulate mood, emotions, appetite and digestion. Serotonin is affected by light, with low levels of light during the winter resulting in reduced levels of serotonin production.
- Melatonin levels
Some research suggests that people who are affected by SAD produce too much melatonin, which is a hormone that maintains your sleep-wake cycle. Low light affects melatonin levels, leading to feelings of sleepiness and low energy levels.
When does SAD usually start?
Symptoms associated with SAD usually start in the autumn or winter and begin to improve during the spring, which is known as winter-pattern SAD, or winter depression. The less common summer-pattern SAD, or summer depression starts in the spring and summer months and goes away during autumn and winter.
How is SAD diagnosed?
There are many kinds of depression that have the same or similar symptoms to SAD, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Confirming a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder may take several years, and will largely depend on whether:
- You’ve had symptoms during the same seasons for two or more years
- Your depression periods are followed by periods without depression
- There are any other explanations or causes for your mood changes
Who is at risk of developing SAD?
Around 2 million people are affected by SAD in the UK, and 12 million people across northern Europe. It can affect anyone, but it’s more prevalent in women than men and it occurs more frequently in younger adults. The factors that may increase your risk of developing SAD include:
- Family history
You may be more likely to develop SAD if your blood relatives suffer from it, or if they suffer from illnesses such as major depression or schizophrenia. The risk is far greater in first-degree relatives, such as parents or siblings, with approximately 15% of SAD sufferers having a first-degree relative who also suffer from the condition.
- Suffering from depression
If you already suffer from some form of depression or bipolar disorder, especially bipolar II disorder, you may experience worsening symptoms during the winter months. Additionally, you may develop SAD if you have ADHD, an eating disorder, anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
- Living far from the equator
Seasonal affective disorder is far more common in people who live far north or south of the equator. This is generally understood to be because of the decreased sunlight during the winter months.
Are there any treatments available for SAD?
There are treatments available for those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which can be used alone, or in combination. After diagnosis, your GP will recommend the most suitable option based on the nature and severity of your symptoms, to get the best possible results. These treatments fall into 4 main categories:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT is a form of psychological ‘talking therapy’ that’s used to treat a range of mental health problems. Generally, it’s used to help people recognise unhelpful or negative thought patterns. In terms of SAD, cognitive behavioural therapy will focus on helping people replace negative thoughts they may have about the winter season with more positive thoughts. It may also involve scheduling time outdoors to combat any loss of interest they might experience during winter.
- Antidepressant medications
Antidepressant medications may be prescribed to treat SAD when symptoms occur. Those who suffer from SAD usually have lower levels of serotonin, which is why selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the preferred antidepression type.
- Vitamin D
Many people who suffer with SAD tend to have lower levels of vitamin D, which is why vitamin D supplements are recommended to help improve symptoms. However, studies have found that using vitamin D to combat seasonal affective disorder has mixed findings.
- Light therapy
Using light therapy is highly effective for some people who suffer with SAD. It involves using a special lamp, called a light box, to imitate the real sunlight that’s missing during the winter months. Usually, it’s recommended that people who suffer from SAD sit by a light box for around 30 minutes each morning.
Are there any other alternatives?
Other alternatives such as Digital windows and ceilings can mimic the sunlight lost during the winter months by recreating natural views and lighting patterns inside. Living Windows can display real-time, moving images that emulate the full days’ cycle, which helps regulate the circadian rhythm.
Find out more about Sky Inside products
Sometimes known as ‘winter depression,’ seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a kind of depression that’s related to seasons or times of the year. It usually affects people during autumn and winter, with people experiencing symptoms of depression during the colder months, but in some rare cases, it can also affect people during summer.
It’s common to feel a little low during the winter months. As the nights become longer and the temperature drops, you may feel as though you’re more irritable or have much less energy than you did when it was sunny. However, while many of us can experience low mood during winter, seasonal affective disorder can have a severe impact on daily life.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
Much like other forms of depression, SAD can affect people in different ways, and it can also vary from season to season. Typically, people who are affected by SAD experience the following symptoms:
- A persistent, low mood
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish, anxious and easily irritated
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Becoming less sociable
- More prone to colds, infections or other illnesses
- Loss of interest in sex or physical contact
- Suicidal feelings
Symptoms of SAD typically last around 4 to 5 months every year. Winter SAD can cause symptoms that differ from those experienced by people who have summer SAD. For example, a typical symptom for people who have summer SAD is insomnia, while those who experience winter SAD may suffer from hypersomnia, or oversleeping.
What is the cause of SAD?
The specific cause of SAD remains unknown, but it’s understood that there are several factors that could come into play, these include:
- Biological clock disruption
Your body clock (circadian rhythm) is an internal clock that regulates essential internal functions and processes, such as your sleep-wake cycle. It’s thought that the low levels of sunlight during the winter months may disrupt your circadian rhythm, leading to feelings of depression.
- Serotonin levels
Research suggests that people who suffer from SAD may have reduced serotonin levels, which is the chemical that helps regulate mood, emotions, appetite and digestion. Serotonin is affected by light, with low levels of light during the winter resulting in reduced levels of serotonin production.
- Melatonin levels
Some research suggests that people who are affected by SAD produce too much melatonin, which is a hormone that maintains your sleep-wake cycle. Low light affects melatonin levels, leading to feelings of sleepiness and low energy levels.
When does SAD usually start?
Symptoms associated with SAD usually start in the autumn or winter and begin to improve during the spring, which is known as winter-pattern SAD, or winter depression. The less common summer-pattern SAD, or summer depression starts in the spring and summer months and goes away during autumn and winter.
How is SAD diagnosed?
There are many kinds of depression that have the same or similar symptoms to SAD, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Confirming a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder may take several years, and will largely depend on whether:
- You’ve had symptoms during the same seasons for two or more years
- Your depression periods are followed by periods without depression
- There are any other explanations or causes for your mood changes
Who is at risk of developing SAD?
Around 2 million people are affected by SAD in the UK, and 12 million people across northern Europe. It can affect anyone, but it’s more prevalent in women than men and it occurs more frequently in younger adults. The factors that may increase your risk of developing SAD include:
- Family history
You may be more likely to develop SAD if your blood relatives suffer from it, or if they suffer from illnesses such as major depression or schizophrenia. The risk is far greater in first-degree relatives, such as parents or siblings, with approximately 15% of SAD sufferers having a first-degree relative who also suffer from the condition.
- Suffering from depression
If you already suffer from some form of depression or bipolar disorder, especially bipolar II disorder, you may experience worsening symptoms during the winter months. Additionally, you may develop SAD if you have ADHD, an eating disorder, anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
- Living far from the equator
Seasonal affective disorder is far more common in people who live far north or south of the equator. This is generally understood to be because of the decreased sunlight during the winter months.
Are there any treatments available for SAD?
There are treatments available for those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which can be used alone, or in combination. After diagnosis, your GP will recommend the most suitable option based on the nature and severity of your symptoms, to get the best possible results. These treatments fall into 4 main categories:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT is a form of psychological ‘talking therapy’ that’s used to treat a range of mental health problems. Generally, it’s used to help people recognise unhelpful or negative thought patterns. In terms of SAD, cognitive behavioural therapy will focus on helping people replace negative thoughts they may have about the winter season with more positive thoughts. It may also involve scheduling time outdoors to combat any loss of interest they might experience during winter.
- Antidepressant medications
Antidepressant medications may be prescribed to treat SAD when symptoms occur. Those who suffer from SAD usually have lower levels of serotonin, which is why selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the preferred antidepression type.
- Vitamin D
Many people who suffer with SAD tend to have lower levels of vitamin D, which is why vitamin D supplements are recommended to help improve symptoms. However, studies have found that using vitamin D to combat seasonal affective disorder has mixed findings.
- Light therapy
Using light therapy is highly effective for some people who suffer with SAD. It involves using a special lamp, called a light box, to imitate the real sunlight that’s missing during the winter months. Usually, it’s recommended that people who suffer from SAD sit by a light box for around 30 minutes each morning.
Are there any other alternatives?
Other alternatives such as Digital windows and ceilings can mimic the sunlight lost during the winter months by recreating natural views and lighting patterns inside. Living Windows can display real-time, moving images that emulate the full days’ cycle, which helps regulate the circadian rhythm.
Find out more about Sky Inside products https://skyinsideuk.com/contact-us/