Seasonal Affective Disorder

by Corgan Blosch and Rose George, MD

 

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a recurrent depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern. Respectively, it is a depression that begins and ends during a specific season, with full remittance during other seasons. Most typically, this depression begins in Fall or Winter and remits in the Spring or Summer. People with seasonal affective disorder have difficulty regulating some of the chemicals in the brain, this imbalance causes changes to one’s circadian rhythm. This then leads to the symptoms of SAD, which usually revolve around low mood and low energy. People who struggle with SAD can experience feeling sad, irritable, tired, lethargic, difficulty concentrating, and the desire to withdraw from social situations. SAD can also cause insomnia, increased cravings of carbs and sugars, and anxiety.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is fairly common. It is more prevalent in areas that are farthest from the equator. SAD is most commonly triggered by limited exposure to sunlight. Non-medicine options can help treat the symptoms of SAD, such as improving one’s diet, exercising more, talking to a counselor, and light therapy. Light therapy is a treatment which uses a bright artificial light, specifically in the morning, and has shown promise in alleviating depressive symptoms. Additionally, certain nutrients have shown favorable effects by enhancing mood, which is closely aligned with the principles of the Mediterranean diet, featuring lean meats, fish, green leafy vegetables, legumes, and nuts.These foods are abundant in vitamins. Further, vitamins B, C, and D have been implicated in promoting brain health and mood stability. This article is not meant to be individual medical advice and you should discuss with your doctor before adding any vitamins or supplements to your current medication regimen.

Trying antidepressants is another option for those who suffer from more severe SAD symptoms, especially if someone deals with Major Depressive Disorder concurrently with SAD. Another promising option for treating depression and SAD is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. TMS applies magnetic fields to specific areas of the brain involved in depression, activating the area to alleviate the depressive symptoms. TMS is an effective intervention for cases of depression that do not respond to other treatments.

 

Sources:

Jahan-Mihan, A., Stevens, P., Medero-Alfonso, S., Brace, G., Overby, L. K., Berg, K., & Labyak, C. (2024). The role of water-soluble vitamins and vitamin D in prevention and treatment of depression and seasonal affective disorder in adults. Nutrients , 16 (12), 1902. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121902 Melrose, S. (2015).

Seasonal affective disorder: An overview of assessment and treatment approaches. Depression Research and Treatment , 2015 , 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/178564