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What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
As the seasons change from autumn to winter, the temperature drops and the days become
shorter. You may experience sadness, irritability, and a general lack of energy. These feelings
can be quite normal; our moods naturally shift with changes in the weather. However, it is when
your low mood becomes pervasive and disruptive to your daily functioning that may indicate you
are experiencing something more.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise known as S.A.D., is a type of depression that begins in
the late autumn and typically lasts until the beginning of spring. While it isn’t completely known
what causes S.A.D., it is suspected that the lack of exposure to sunlight is a factor. Sunlight
provides us with vitamins that we require for our emotional wellbeing. With a lack of sunlight in
the late autumn and winter months comes a lack of these important vitamins, and results in
reduced mental wellness. There may also be a genetic factor to the development of S.A.D.
Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms of S.A.D. overlap with those seen in depression. These may
include:
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Sadness and/or depressed mood
Hopelessness
Negative and pessimistic viewpoint
Trouble with memory or concentration
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
Irritability
Restlessness
Loss of interest
Fatigue and low energy
Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
Fluctuations, losses, or gains in weight
Thinking about death, dying, and/or suicide
If you experience these symptoms and suspect you may be experiencing S.A.D., you may wish
to seek the support of a mental health professional who can help you build strategies to manage
your challenging emotions in the late autumn and winter months, and regain quality of life.
Treatment
Luckily, there are several options for treating S.A.D., which include:
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Light Therapy: Light therapy involves a system of balanced full spectrum lighting that
mimics the light received while standing outside in the sunshine and provides the same
benefits. It has been scientifically proven to reduce the negative effects of S.A.D.
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Self-Care: Proper and increased self care during winter months, including proper sleep,
exercise and nutrition, can be very beneficial to treat symptoms of S.A.D.
Counselling: Meeting with a mental health professional is often beneficial and can also
help to teach and implement proper coping strategies and techniques to help overcome
S.A.D.
Medication: In severe cases, you should consult your family physician, since medication,
when taken in conjunction with counselling, has often proven helpful.
Sources
Canadian Mental Health Association. (2013). Seasonal affective disorder.
Retrieved from https://www.cmha.bc.ca/get-informed/mental-health-information/sad