In my last post, Seasonal Affective Disorder: Should Floridians Be Concerned?…we discussed or were made aware of the fact that: even Floridians (who usually enjoy warmer and sunnier days per year) can be adversely affected by SAD a.k.a. Seasonal Affective Disorder.
What are some possible causes of SAD? What can We do to cope? Here are some points from the Mayo Clinic that I found noteworthy:The specific cause of seasonal affective disorder remains unknown. Some factors that may come into play include:
- 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 (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, might play a role in SAD. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression.
- Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.
Please get checked out by a professional for a real diagnosis and treatment options specific to your situation. Please consider these risk factors presented by the Mayo Clinic:
- Being female. SAD is diagnosed more often in women than in men, but men may have more-severe symptoms.
- Age. Young people have a higher risk of winter SAD, and winter SAD is less likely to occur in older adults.
- Family history. People with SAD may be more likely to have blood relatives with SAD or another form of depression.
- Having clinical depression or bipolar disorder. Symptoms of depression may worsen seasonally if you have one of these conditions.
- Living far from the equator. SAD appears to be more common among people who live far north or south of the equator. This may be due to decreased sunlight during the winter and longer days during the summer months.
Now You know if You may be at risk for SAD…what is Your next step: Get Help! Get Educated! Get Well!What can You do before Your Doctor’s appointment…the Mayo Clinic Recommends the following:Before your appointment, make a list of:
- Your symptoms, such as feeling down or having a lack of energy
- Your depression patterns, such as when your depression starts and what seems to make it better or worse
- Any other mental or physical health problems you have — both can affect mood
- Any major stressors or life changes you’ve had recently
- All medications, vitamins or supplements you’re taking, including dosages
- Questions to ask your doctor, in order of priority
For seasonal affective disorder, some basic questions to ask include:
- Are my symptoms likely caused by SAD, or could they be due to something else?
- What else could be causing or worsening my symptoms of depression?
- What are the best treatment options?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow or steps I should take to help improve my mood?
- Should I see a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider?
- Are medications likely to improve my symptoms?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medication you’re prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?
Each season–throughout the year–can bring many changes. Let’s do what we can to prepare, help one another to succeed in experiencing positive results from each season of life no matter our personal challenges.