What exactly is “Seasonal Depression”?

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As the holidays wrap up and the days remain cold and short, many people find themselves with a sad or depressed mood. You might hear of this pattern being referred to as “seasonal depression” or “seasonal affective disorder” (S.A.D.). What you may not know is that the seasonal depression is more than a case of the “winter blues.” So what is it exactly?

SAD is a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder. This means someone with SAD meets all of the criteria for Major Depression, with their symptoms centering around a particular time of year (typically fall/winter). Common symptoms include:

·      Depressed mood

·      Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

·      Insomnia or hypersomnia

·      Fatigue

·      Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

·      Difficulty with concentration and/or decision making

·      Thoughts of suicide

For individuals with SAD, these symptoms last for at least 2 weeks and cause them significant distress or impairment in day-to-day functioning. The distinguishing differences between SAD and non-seasonal Major Depressive Disorder are that onset of symptoms occurs a particular time of year, full remissions also occur at a particular time of year, and that this pattern has been present for at least 2 years.

If you or someone you love is experiencing seasonal depression, effective treatment options are available! Seek support with a therapist, psychiatrist, or medical professional as a starting point and to better which understand treatment options may be best for you. Various forms of psychotherapy have been shown to be effective with SAD, as well as antidepressant medications. Additionally, for some, increased exposure to sunlight can help improve symptoms of SAD.

References:

https://www.apa.org/topics/depression/seasonal-affective-disorder

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder