Depression is a medical condition with emotional, behavioural/cognitive, and physical symptoms. It can have a dramatic impact on your health and well-being. Learn more about depression symptoms, how depression is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that seems to be related to the amount of daylight to which people are exposed. For most people in Canada, it tends to be worse in the fall or winter. While it’s much less common, some people experience symptoms in the late spring or early summer.
Every year, as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, it is estimated that about 2% to 3% of people are affected by SAD. Some people have less severe symptoms of SAD called the "winter blues."
It is more common in women than in men and it usually begins when people are in their 20s. Older people are at lower risk. Children can also experience SAD, although it is far less common.
Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder
The cause of SAD is unknown. It is believed to be caused by a decrease in the person's exposure to sunlight. It may be linked to the body's internal clock, which controls temperature and hormone production.
SAD may also be related to the levels of melatonin in the body, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland. The nerve centres in the brain that control daily rhythms and moods are stimulated by the amount of light entering the eyes. During the night, the pineal gland produces melatonin, which makes people drowsy. In the morning, the bright light of the sun causes the gland to stop producing melatonin. On dull winter days, not enough light is received to trigger this waking up process and for some people it may become very difficult to get up in the morning.
Serotonin, an important brain chemical that affects your mood, may also play a role in SAD. A lack of sunlight may affect serotonin levels.
In addition, on dark winter days, less light comes into the eyes during the daylight hours, and this may cause some people to feel "low."
Geography seems to play a role. SAD is more common among people who live in northern climates, or among people who move from a sunny, southern climate to a more northern climate. SAD can affect anyone, even if they are not already predisposed to depression. If someone has a history of depression and lives in a more northern climate, they may be more susceptible. A family history of depression or other psychological conditions increases the risk of SAD.
Symptoms and Complications of Seasonal Affective Disorder
SAD usually occurs during the late fall or winter months – usually between October and April. Symptoms may include:
lethargy and fatigue (low energy level)
withdrawal from friends and family
inability to focus or concentrate
sadness, anxiety, and despair
feelings of worthlessness or guilt
change in appetite with cravings for sweets and starches
weight gain
headaches
irritability
increased or decreased sleep
loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
In children, symptoms include irritability, problems in school, and difficulty getting out of bed.
Some people, especially those who experience SAD in the summer, may have an opposite pattern of symptoms, such as loss of appetite and weight loss as well as insomnia.
