SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER OR SAD

[Juju]

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to post a short awareness message that definitely come around for some this time of year. Many of us can and do feel "blue", "feeling down", "depressed" for no apparent reason. Tasks become harder to do, concentration can become difficult and you just don't feel good. 

Here is some info on this disorder and the symptoms.  These excerpts are from Radias Health:

 

What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?

The intricacies of seasonal affective disorder still aren’t well understood; however, SAD is believed to be caused by the shorter days and lack of light that characterize the winter months. This can affect people in a couple of different ways. First, it disrupts individuals’ circadian rhythms, the natural biological cycle that determines sleep-wake times and energy levels. This can have effects on your mood, sleep, and behavior.

In addition, lack of light is also thought to have a negative impact on our bodies’ ability to maintain normal levels of serotonin (a mood-regulating neurotransmitter). Below average levels of serotonin can cause depression.

 

Who Suffers From SAD?

Around 5% of the US population experiences seasonal depression each year. As with normal depression, SAD can be influenced by a number of factors. These include:

living at higher latitudes (further from the equator) where days tend to be shorter in the winter.

gender; women tend to be affected by SAD more often than men.

living with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.

being deficient in vitamin D, which may worsen symptoms of SAD.

 

Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder

For many people, SAD goes away on its own when the seasons change and the days lengthen. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to treat SAD, or at least mitigate its effects. As with other forms of depression, seeing a mental health professional and exploring antidepressants (if appropriate) can be extremely beneficial.

In addition, many people have success with light therapy (commonly known as “happy lights”) which mimics the effects of sunlight on the brain. Taking vitamin D supplements may also help to better regulate serotonin levels.

 

If you suffer from any of these symptoms and they seem a bit to much, please see a health care professional and get help. 

*This info, in NO way, is meant to diagnose or substitute any diagnoses and/or treatment given by a Professional. It is meant to only make others aware of the disorder and it's symptoms*

And as always, we are here to talk if needed. 🤗

 

Edited December 8, 2024 by Juju

[MasterPhotog]

7 minutes ago, Juju said:

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to post a short awareness message that definitely come around for some this time of year. Many of us can and do feel "blue", "feeling down", "depressed" for no apparent reason. Tasks become harder to do, concentration can become difficult and you just don't feel good. 

Here is some info on this disorder and the symptoms.  These excerpts are from Radias Health:

 

What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?

The intricacies of seasonal affective disorder still aren’t well understood; however, SAD is believed to be caused by the shorter days and lack of light that characterize the winter months. This can affect people in a couple of different ways. First, it disrupts individuals’ circadian rhythms, the natural biological cycle that determines sleep-wake times and energy levels. This can have effects on your mood, sleep, and behavior.

In addition, lack of light is also thought to have a negative impact on our bodies’ ability to maintain normal levels of serotonin (a mood-regulating neurotransmitter). Below average levels of serotonin can cause depression.

 

Who Suffers From SAD?

Around 5% of the US population experiences seasonal depression each year. As with normal depression, SAD can be influenced by a number of factors. These include:

living at higher latitudes (further from the equator) where days tend to be shorter in the winter.

gender; women tend to be affected by SAD more often than men.

living with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.

being deficient in vitamin D, which may worsen symptoms of SAD.

 

Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder

For many people, SAD goes away on its own when the seasons change and the days lengthen. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to treat SAD, or at least mitigate its effects. As with other forms of depression, seeing a mental health professional and exploring antidepressants (if appropriate) can be extremely beneficial.

In addition, many people have success with light therapy (commonly known as “happy lights”) which mimics the effects of sunlight on the brain. Taking vitamin D supplements may also help to better regulate serotonin levels.

 

If you suffer from any of these symptoms and they seem a bit to much, please see a health care professional and get help. 

*This info, in NO way, is meant to diagnose or substitute any diagnoses and/or treatment given by a Professional. It is meant to only make others aware of the disorder and it's symptoms*

And as always, we are here to talk if needed. 🤗

 

@Juju 

Thank you for sharing this timely awareness message about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), including its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Those of us living in northern regions particularly notice its effects, especially after turning our clocks back an hour in the fall and spending more time indoors due to the colder weather.  

Thank you again—please keep up the good work, and stay safe!

[beanbean]

This is a lot of things that bother me not be to do what I usually do really gets me out of sorts

[sophieR]

Sad is difficult, with someone neurodivergent it only makes it worse.. wishing I was a bear so I can hibernate and miss the cold and dark. 

[MasterPhotog]

1 hour ago, sophieR said:

Sad is difficult, with someone neurodivergent it only makes it worse.. wishing I was a bear so I can hibernate and miss the cold and dark. 

@sophieR, I hear you and feel the same at times, but look at the positive side, our winter season is shorter compared to some other places. Please stat warm and comfy!

[beanbean]

2 hours ago, sophieR said:

Sad is difficult, with someone neurodivergent it only makes it worse.. wishing I was a bear so I can hibernate and miss the cold and dark. 

It would make it easier lol 

[kuuchan]

oh man i get this every year, starting from november... and living in a country with a very long, very dark winter this tends to affect me so hard... :,,) 

3 hours ago, sophieR said:

Sad is difficult, with someone neurodivergent it only makes it worse..

Agreed! I've been struggling so much to get anything done around the house due to SAD and ADHD... and what makes it even more depressing for me is, that it's so hard for me to do the things i legit enjoy... ; ; SAD really is as bad as "regular" depression to me

[MasterPhotog]

2 hours ago, kuuchan said:

oh man i get this every year, starting from november... and living in a country with a very long, very dark winter this tends to affect me so hard... :,,) 

Agreed! I've been struggling so much to get anything done around the house due to SAD and ADHD... and what makes it even more depressing for me is, that it's so hard for me to do the things i legit enjoy... ; ; SAD really is as bad as "regular" depression to me

@kuuchan Let's hope this winter is short and mild. Best of luck! 

[sophieR]

5 hours ago, kuuchan said:

oh man i get this every year, starting from november... and living in a country with a very long, very dark winter this tends to affect me so hard... :,,) 

Agreed! I've been struggling so much to get anything done around the house due to SAD and ADHD... and what makes it even more depressing for me is, that it's so hard for me to do the things i legit enjoy... ; ; SAD really is as bad as "regular" depression to me

Aww Hun. Same. I basically try to boost it by celebrating lots but haven't got the energy or will some years. 

In Wales, we have more dark and gloomy days even when not in winter. I'm definitely missing out on sunshine on my skin. The summer was a washout this year too so doesn't help.. wouldn't mind so much if it's just the cold either but the constant raining makes me not want to go out then I get stir crazy, no exercise or fresh air. 

Wish I could recommend something to help but I am trying to find my way too. I think that having people to talk to and connect does help tho so glad about this site. 

[kuuchan]

11 minutes ago, sophieR said:

The summer was a washout this year too so doesn't help.. wouldn't mind so much if it's just the cold either but the constant raining makes me not want to go out then I get stir crazy, no exercise or fresh air. 

Oh yeah i can definitely understand that... :c i like a bit of rainy days every so often, but it does get tiring if it's only rain all the time. As someone who lives in a coastal town, i have to deal with constant winds all the dang time, that's super frustrating haha! 

13 minutes ago, sophieR said:

Wish I could recommend something to help but I am trying to find my way too. I think that having people to talk to and connect does help tho so glad about this site. 

aw that's so sweet of you though! But i  get that you're dealing with this too so it's understandable<3 In my country they start pumping ads for vitamin D-supplements during this time of year lol, they personally don't really work for me, but i do try taking them whenevr i can!