With the colder months upon us, with shorter days and longer nights, winter-pattern Seasonal Affective Disorder is a common occurrence for many. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of clinical depression that occurs with seasonal changes.
Most people who experience seasonal affective disorder have winter pattern SAD. Winter pattern SAD is a subtype of SAD, in which symptoms begin in the fall months, and subside during the spring. It is the most commonly known pattern of SAD. However, Seasonal Affective Disorder can also occur in the summer months, and is called summer pattern SAD. While the exact cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder is unknown, researchers have found that winter Seasonal Affective Disorder is triggered by a lack of exposure to light. Insufficient exposure to light disrupts your circadian rhythm, which causes an overproduction of melatonin, which is a sleep hormone that plays a key role in regulating sleep cycles. Additionally, serotonin is underproduced, which is partially what causes the decrease in mood, since serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood. However, seasonal affective disorder affects more than just mood. In addition to feeling low and lethargic, many people experience issues with decreased memory and concentration.
There are factors that can affect the likelihood of having seasonal affective disorder. Women tend to be affected by the disorder much more than men. People who live in northern areas—with less light exposure during colder months—tend to noticeably be affected more by this disorder in comparison to those who live in southern areas of the globe. Genetic factors may also increase the risk of having Seasonal Affective Disorder. However there are treatment options available for SAD. Treatments include courses of antidepressants and light therapy. Antidepressants mainly serve to increase dopamine and serotonin levels. Light therapy seeks to replace sunlight with artificial light. It utilizes light boxes that emit bright white light, which the brain can’t differentiate from natural sunlight.
In conclusion, seasonal affective disorder is a type of clinical depression, that occurs with the seasonal changes. There are many factors that affect the likelihood of having the disorder, from gender to location. While the exact cause of the disorder isn’t known, there are treatment options available.
Citations:
Seo, Hannah. “What to Know about Seasonal Depression.” The New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023, www.nytimes.com/article/seasonal-depression-what-to-know.html.
“Shining a Light on Winter Depression - Harvard Health.” Harvard Health, Nov. 2019, www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/shining-a-light-on-winter-depression.