The nights are long with cool gusts of wind, and the trees begin to shed stunning colors all over streets and yards. Fall has begun. Soon, winter will be upon us, and the skies tears will freeze and the ground will be covered in white. The temperature will drop and Michigan will freeze over. These seasons can be beautiful sometimes, and for some, they might be better than summer. However, many others dread these months to come and some will begin to feel unmotivated and not as happy as they were in summer. If you have ever noticed that you feel more depressed during the winter and more happy during the summer or even the opposite, you might be developing SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
SAD is a disorder that was diagnosed during the 1980s. It is a disorder that is linked to the seasons of the year and how light works. However, the specific reason for what primarily causes SAD is unknown. Although many factors come into play that cause SAD, reduced sunshine is the most common cause of SAD. It is known that sunlight raises and lowers our body’s serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that affects several functions throughout your brain and body. It also causes mood changes, which is mainly what serotonin does. During the fall and winter, nights are longer than in the summer, which means less sunlight. This can cause a big change throughout our body, causing less serotonin to be released. The less serotonin, the worse our mood can get such as being depressed. This is one big factor in how SAD affects our bodies.
There are several types of ways to combat SAD. Light therapy is the most common practice that is used to prevent SAD from developing or getting any worse, also known as phototherapy. People who do light therapy generally do it in the morning and it takes about an hour. People sit in front of a special large lightbox. This helps brain chemicals such as serotonin. Psychotherapy is also common, which is a therapist. Usually, a cognitive behavioral therapist is the best option for people suffering from SAD. A CBT’s job is to simply talk to their patients and remove and change depressing or anxious thoughts. Antidepressant medication can also be prescribed by therapists to help with SAD. Antidepressants help change the way chemicals respond in our brain such as, they might give you serotonin if your brain is low on it. Medications can take time though, as long as 8 weeks to come into effect. Remember to talk to a doctor or licensed therapist before trying any of these methods to help combat SAD.
SAD is very common throughout the United States including all around the world. Many don’t even know it exists. Some people have gone years feeling depressed during the winter months and don’t know they are suffering from SAD. If you’re ever feeling unmotivated or sad for several days a week, contact a trusted health provider and plan to change that pattern.
