While many people may relish the extra hour of sleep they will get on Sunday, November 6 when daylight savings time ends, others will experience a difficult season of darkness.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of major depression that’s related to changes in seasons. Although some people experience SAD in the spring and summer, for most sufferers SAD is a winter phenomenon and symptoms may include:
- Irritability
- Tiredness or low energy
- Problems getting along with other people
- Hypersensitivity to rejection
- Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
- Oversleeping
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
Roughly 6 percent of the U.S. population, primarily in northern climates, is affected by SAD in its most marked form, while another 14 percent of U.S. adults suffer from a lesser form of seasonal mood changes, known as winter blues. Women are particularly susceptible and onset often occurs between the ages of 18 and 30.
“Seasonal pattern depressive disorders can vary in the degree of symptom intensity from minimal to severe,” says Robert D. Wells, Ph.D., a psychologist with St. Elizabeth Physicians Outpatient Behavioral Health. “While the general public may believe this is a temporary state of ‘winter blues’ it can become serious if left untreated including school or work problems, social withdrawal, substance abuse and/or suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments for SAD including light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications.
“For most individuals the ‘winter blues’ are a normal response to lessened sunlight and activity level,” says Wells, but if a person starts to exhibit more serious signs of depression seek professional help.
