Seasonal Affective Disorder
What is S.A.D?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a recurrent subtype of depression characterized by a predictable onset in the fall/winter months and spontaneous remission in the spring/summer period. Chronobiological mechanisms related to circadian rhythms, melatonin, and photoperiodism play a significant role in many cases of SAD, and treatment of SAD can be optimized by considering individual differences in key chronobiological markers. Converging evidence also points to a role for the major monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in one or more aspects of SAD. Ultimately, as with other psychiatric illnesses, SAD is best considered as a complex disorder resulting from the interaction of several vulnerability factors acting at different levels, the various genetic mechanisms that underlie them, and the physical environment.
S.A.D affects nearly 10% of Alaska’s population
What causes S.A.D?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is triggered by changes in seasons. This form of depression usually occurs during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight, and the days get shorter. SAD usually lifts during the spring and summer months.
What Happens to our body?
Affects chemical and hormone levels in the body in a negative way.
This result from sensitivity to light deficiency, which affects the body’s circadian rhythms.
Decrease in serotonin and oxytocin levels in our body.
Atypical vegetative symptoms of depression include hypersomnia, increased appetite, carbohydrate craving, hyperphagia, lack of interest in social activities, impaired concentration, energy loss, and weight gain.
Since 2007, there have been significant increase in students feeling sad or hopeless, and considering, planning for, and attempting suicide in the past 12 months.
How to identify it?
Feeling down
Noticing vegetative symptoms
Lack of will to do anything
Loss of appetite
Intense changes in sleep patterns
Lack of concentration
These are a few common symptoms one may notice in themselves or others that could help identify S.A.D.
It is important to keep in mind that people suffering from the symptoms of S.A.D. do not always seek professional help. So chances are that the data around it might be even greater than we have at hand.
Mechanisms of S.A.D
Your biological clock ( Circadian rhythm). The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.
Serotonin levels. A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical called (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, might play a role in S.A.D. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin which may trigger depression.
Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays an important role in sleep patterns and mood.
Biology behind S.A.D
Seasonal depression occurs when intrinsic circadian rhythms, such as the melatonin and temperature rhythms, are phase delayed relative to the external clock and/or sleep/wake cycle.
What can help?
Light Therapy helps maintain our biological clock, balance serotonin activation, increase alertness, and help stabilize sleep patterns.
Anti-depressants can be prescribed to individuals if they get diagnosed with S.A.D.
Taking vitamin supplements or eating foods with lots of vitamin D could be beneficial.
Spending quality time with friends and family could help keep you in a healthier mindset. Avoiding isolation unless required and putting oneself in socially engaging situations is helpful for a more positive mindset.
Listening to music, journaling, doing things that make a person happy, and taking enough rest are other examples of things one can do to battle S.A.D.
It is essential to get individualized treatment, continuously addressing their mood and substance use disorders. Other treatments of S.A.D might include light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy, and medications.
Brought to you by
Chuol Both Mut
Majoring in Foreign Policy & International Relations at UAA.
Deenju Karki
Majoring in Journalism at UAA.
Darren Enriquez
Majoring in Psychology at UAA.
Darby Rongitsch
Majoring in Psychology at UAA.
American Psychiatric Association. (2020). Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Psychiatry.org. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder
Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Seasonal Depression (seasonal affective disorder). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression
Levitan, R. D. (n.d.). The chronobiology and neurobiology of winter seasonal affective disorder. Taylor & Francis. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.31887/DCNS.2007.9.3/rlevitan?src=recsys
Sandkühler, J. F., Brochhagen, S., Rohde, P., Muscheidt, R. C., Grömer, T. W., Müller, H., & Brauner, J. M. (2022). 100,000 lumens to treat seasonal affective disorder: A proof of concept RCT of Bright, whole-ROom, All-Day (BROAD) light therapy. Depression and Anxiety, 39, 760– 769. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23281
Sokya. (2021). How To Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder During An Alaskan Winter. Sokya Health. https://www.sokyahealth.com/rest/how-to-cope-with-seasonal-affective-disorder-during-an-alaskan-winter/#:~:text=In%20stark%20contrast%20to%20equatorial,the%20highest%20percentages%20ever%20recorded
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Seasonal affective disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
Watt, A. (2021). How does light therapy help treat depression? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/light-therapy