What is S.A.D.? A lot of people don’t know what this abbreviation stands for. It is a seasonal affective disorder. A lot of people probably have it and don’t know it, and/or understand.
If you have this disorder you may know that it affects a lot of people, sometimes in different ways than others. It affects your daily life, routine. Someone that doesn’t have it doesn’t usually doesn’t understand too much about it. Myself for example, there are days that it’s a struggle to want to get out of bed. I have to push myself, get geared up mentally/ physically. My mind wants to play tricks on me and say stay in bed. That’s only 1 example that I go through a lot, not counting the rest of the day.
This disorder is usually diagnosed more often in women than men. More frequently in younger adults than older.
Symptoms:
- Feeling sad/down most of the day.
- Losing interest in the things you used to enjoy
- Low energy, feeling sluggish
- Sleeping too much
- Overeating/ weight gain
- Can’t concentrate
- Feeling hopeless/worthless
S.A.D. Seasonal Symptoms
- Changes in appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety/ agitated
- Irritability increase
- Treatment for S.A.D.
- Get treatment from your medical provider
- Medication
- Light therapy
A lot of people mix these symptoms with depression symptoms, they have a lot of them in common. If you have any doubt at all see your medical provider please!
- People that are at higher risk are someone having bi- polar disorder. For someone with this spring/summer can bring symptoms of mania.
- Someone in your family history that has/had S.A.D. or depression.
- Having major depression/bi-polar.
- People living where there is less sunlight (which is a BIG factor for me personally).
- Low vitamin D
THIS BY NO MEANS IS A DIAGNOSES FOR ANYONE!
S.A.D. Causes
The specific cause is unknown.
1) Biological clock- not enough sunlight in the fall and winter months.
2) Serotonin level- a drop of serotonin affects a mood.
3) Melatonin level- which plays into sleep patterns and mood, with any disruptions your level is unbalanced.
4) The temperature and weather.
Unbalanced body clock
The hours of daylight are used by your brain to set your body clock. According to one theory, if you suffer from SAD throughout the winter, this area of your brain isn’t functioning properly.
This may indicate that your body clock is not in sync with daylight, which can result in depression and fatigue. This, according to some studies, is because your sleep schedule begins at a different time.
Serotonin and melatonin problems with balance
A hormone called melatonin is produced by your brain in the dark to help your body prepare for sleep. Your exposure to sunlight also affects your levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences your mood.
Some individuals with winter SAD appear to have lower serotonin levels and higher melatonin levels in the winter. The precise connection between these and winter SAD is unclear, although research indicates they may be contributing factors.
Temperature and Weather
Everybody has a distinct experience with certain seasons and weather conditions. In hotter or colder weather, you may feel especially uneasy, which may lead to the onset of depression or the exacerbation of pre-existing depression.
Some people struggle harder in warmer weather, even though more people are aware that SAD occurs in the winter. According to certain research, summer SAD is associated with greater humidity and temperatures. To find out why, however, more investigation is required.
Although this is overall a basic idea of what S.A.D. means, there is more information out there. This also is from my personal experience with one example that I provided, to give you somewhat of an idea of what it’s like, usually on a daily basis.
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