Seasonal Affective Disorder: What is it and How to Avoid it?
Winter season is around the corner and the breeze of the wind is getting cooler.
Reminiscing the year 2020 as it slowly unravels to an end, may make someone feel emotional because of everything the human race has to face.
Just like what the World Health Organization has given in their data, COVID-19, and the virus causing it, Sars-CoV-2 has taken a lot of toll on humanity and continuously draining every emotion every individual has.
But if you feel blue ever since the wind goes cooler, then the season might have something to do with your mood swings and emotions.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder
A woman walks down a snowy path at the University of Colorado Boulder during an early season winter storm on September 9, 2020 in Boulder, Colorado. The storm brought more than five inches of snow to areas along Colorado's front range, but temperatures are expected to return to the 80s this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Also called SAD, clinical lead for mental health services for AXA Health, Dr. Mark Winwood mentions Seasonal Affective Disorder in an interview with The Northern Times that the condition can affect an individual's mental health in different ways depending on its severity.
National Health Service (NHS) describes this condition as a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. They add that the disorder is sometimes known as winter depression due to its manifestations which are usually more ostensible and more severe during the winter.
Mayo Clinic adds that if an individual is one of the people who have SAD, the symptom starts in the fall and continue into the winter months, burrowing their energy and making them feel moody.
Symptoms and Causes
Just like regular depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder has symptoms or manifestations that you can notice. According to Dr. Winwood in his interview with The Northern Times that the common symptoms include a persistent low mood and energy levels, lack of enjoyment from everyday activities, poor concentration, intense feelings of sadness, and worthlessness. He also adds that losing interest in physical contact and seeing others, sometimes occur to people with SAD.
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Mayo clinic adds some manifestation of the disorder during the winter includes oversleeping, craving for carbohydrates, and weight gain.
According to National Health Service, the exact cause of SAD is not fully understood although, the main theory is that a lack of sunlight might stop a part of the brain from working properly and efficiently affecting certain hormones in our body. Mayo Clinic adds that the body's clock or circadian rhythm may be affected due to the decrease of sunlight. They add that Serotonin and Melatonin levels are also dropping down because due to lack of sunlight and change in season.
How Can you Prevent it?
Dr. Daniel Chichi from Doctor-4-U says in an interview with The Northern Times getting an ample amount of daylight can support the circadian rhythm that will help an individual fall asleep during the night. He emphasized that this should be done especially for those who are working from home and do not usually go out.
National Health Service adds that taking lifestyle safety measures and exercise may fix and prevent you from SAD which can be a bit of a drag during the cold winter days. They add that managing the stress levels and engaging in talking therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and counseling may also help ease SAD.
Diet and a healthy lifestyle may really impact Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is it brighter and better to celebrate holidays without heavy feeling on your chest, to fully enjoy the spirit of love and affection amongst your loved ones.
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Dec 15, 2020 06:00 PM EST
