Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons – the disease begins and ends about the same times every year.  If you’re like most people, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, zapping your energy and making you feel moody.  These symptoms usually resolve in the spring months and in the summer months.  Less often, it causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months.

Do many of your family members or friends unexpectedly have a serious mental disorder during the winter months, especially in January and February of each calendar year?  An important part of a person’s physical diagnosis could also be a yearly creeper mental condition named “seasonal affective disorder.”  It can affect all ages, all sexes, and every socio-economic class throughout the world.  It is also known to appear during fall, beginning on September 23, 2023 of this respective year, which is only 50+ days away from today in DeKalb County, Tennessee.

From the files of the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms for SAD are:

·     Feeling listless, sad, or down most of the day, nearly every day.

·     Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.

·     Having low energy and feeling sluggish.

·     Having troubles with sleeping too much.

·     Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating, and weight gain.

·     Having trouble concentrating.

·     Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty.

·     Having thoughts of not wanting to live (suicide.)

Take the signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder seriously.  As with other types of depression, it can get worse and lead to problems if it is not treated by a physician, medical staff, and personally.  These can include:

·     Social withdrawal

·     School or work problems

·     Substance abuse (alcohol or drugs)

·     Other mental health disorders such as anxiety or eating disorders.

·     Suicidal thoughts or behavior

“People who have “bipolar disorder” are at increased risk of SAD.  In some people with bipolar disorder, the episodes of mania may be linked to a particular season.  For example, spring and summer can bring on symptoms of mania or a less intense form of mania (hypomania), anxiety, agitation, and irritability.  They most likely will experience depression during the fall and winter months,” concluded the Mayo Clinic team of physicians.

Continuing, the three main causes of SAD are:

·     The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset.  The decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression (see below)

·     The serotonin levels are found in the brain and are a brain chemical that affects mood and might play a role in the above.  Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that trigger’s depression.

·     The melatonin levels can be affected by the change in seasons, which can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

Furthermore, “there are no known ways to prevent “seasonal affective disorder.”  However, if a person takes early steps to manage symptoms, then he/she may be able to prevent them from becoming worse over time.” wrote Mayo.  “One may be able to ward off serious changes in mood, appetite, and energy levels.  You then can predict the time of year when these symptoms start.  Treatment can help prevent complications, especially if diagnosed and treated before symptoms get bad.”

Mayo further quoted, “Some people find it helpful to begin treatment before symptoms usually begin in the fall and winter.  Then, one is advised to begin treatment about the time that symptoms would probably go away.  Other people need continuous treatment to prevent symptoms from returning.”

The absence of light seems to be the greatest trigger point for having “seasonal affective disorder.”  This depression illness seems to affect more women than men at a young age.  The senior generation is not affected as greatly as the younger generation. Thus, everyone, do anything that you can to obtain more sunlight on a daily basis.  If you’re in a car, open the sun roof; if you’re walking, remove any head gear; if you’re picnicking, eat so the sun hits your face; if you’re swimming, don’t forget to apply sunscreen; if inside your house, open the doors and windows and let the sunlight penetrate the interior; and if you are residing in a room or a darkened house, go outside and sit in the sunshine.   But just do something before it’s too late!

The health benefits of sunlight are:

·     Producing Vitamin D in the body

·     Lower blood pressure levels

·     Reduced death rates from cardiovascular issues

·     Protection from Type 1 diabetes

·     Multiple Scleroses (MS)

·     Several forms of cancer, including colon, breast, and prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma

·     Supports better sleep

·     Regulates the levels of serotonin and melatonin in the brain

·     Promotes a sensation of well-being and improving mood

·     Boosting the immune system

·     Promoting relaxation

·     Helping wounds heal

·     Helping people feel more alert

·     Job satisfaction is increased when a person’s workplace has access to sunlight

·     REDUCES DEPRESSION

·     It is not the “winter blues”

For additional information, please go to www.mayo.com. 

And, please remember that seasonal affective disorder will NOT disappear on its own.  It can be deadly if not addressed and treated.  Don’t wait.  Years ago, Dr. Hugh Don Cripps once shared with me the following: “It takes at least six weeks for an anti-depressant to begin working in your bodily system.”  Sunlight “is essential for human-health and well-being.  SAD is a form of depression and is treatable with light therapy, medication, talk therapy, and vitamin D,” reported www.medicalnewstoday.com. Personally, SADs seems to be more prevalent in workers imboiled in exterior and outdoor employment, such as farming and nurseries.

I know.  I’ve been there – watching and waiting.