Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to season changes. It can affect anyone however it is more common in Women 15 to 55 years of age. The risk of getting a first diagnosis of SAD will decrease as you age. SAD can also carry the name of Winter Depression or Seasonal Depression.
Doctors are not sure the cause; however, think it may be due to decreased levels of sunlight. Lack of sunlight can disturb your biological clock that controls you sleep patterns and your wake pattern. If you have ever dealt with a lack of sleep, you know that this affects multiple systems and function primarily the brain chemical Serotonin. Serotonin‘s number one function is our mood and has a direct correlation to our gastrointestinal tract.
Common symptoms of SAD are:
- Feeling moody, or anxious or hormonal.
- Lose interest in your day to day routine.
- Eat more and crave carbohydrates, comfort food.
- Sleep more hours but still feel tired.
What to do from here? If you feel you are suffering from SAD, consult your physician. Don’t say to friends and family “it is just those winter blues”, seasonal worries can drag you down. Some easy tips to feel better can be exercise. Exercise and food can directly affect your mood. This time of the year we tend to let both of those areas slide. This can very much be a reason for feeling sentimental. So, do not be afraid to skip an extra piece of pie for a piece of fruit. Maybe during halftime of the football game, go for a walk. You don’t have to tough it out any more. Take care of yourself and take that first step to a better you. Enjoy the season with a smile!
