What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Know About Causes And Risks

Due to winter, the temperature in many parts of India has dropped to single digits. This has made it difficult for some people to get out of their beds. But what if we told you that the winter blues isn’t just a made-up term for a sad feeling but an actual disorder? Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression associated with changes in the seasons. SAD occurs at approximately the same time each year. People with SAD begin to experience symptoms from autumn and they continue through the winter months. However, sometimes, they may also start experiencing symptoms around spring or summer.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of SAD may be mild at first, but they can become more and more severe as the season progresses. Some of the hallmark symptoms of SAD include:

low energy and feeling lethargic

difficulty concentrating

feeling frustrated and guilty

sleeping too much

Carb Cravings, Overeating, and Weight Gain

feeling sad and depressed most of the day

There are some symptoms which are also special for winter and autumn. Excessive sleeping, changes in appetite, especially craving high-carb foods, weight gain, and fatigue are some of the symptoms that people with seasonal affective disorder experience during the winter. On the other hand, symptoms of spring and summer SAD include insomnia, poor appetite, weight loss, increased anxiety and irritability.

Although there is no specific cause of seasonal affective disorder in people, some possible causes include changes in circadian rhythms, drop in serotonin levels, and imbalance in melatonin levels. Risk factors include family history of SAD, depression and bipolar disorder, low levels of vitamin D and living away from the equator.

Seasonal affective disorder can reduce your efficiency at work. This can lead people to become addicted to drugs and even have additional mental health disorders such as anxiety or eating disorders.

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