

But for the estimated 10 million Americans suffering from seasonal affective disorder—commonly referred to as SAD—adjusting to the winter months can be much harder.
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during certain times of the year—most often in the fall or winter. While experts don’t know exactly what causes SAD, it is thought to be the body’s reaction to a lack of sunlight during the darker months of the year. This reduced sunlight—along with shorter days—can cause a drop in serotonin levels in the brain, triggering depression. SAD can affect anyone, but women, teenagers, and those with a history of depression or bi-polar disorder are at greater risk.
The symptoms of SAD are very similar to those for general depression, including loss of interest in typical activities, feeling sad or hopeless, anxiety, low energy, and weight gain.
As with any mental health issue, there is not one simple solution to treat SAD. However, there are many effective ways to manage it and stay healthy and happy during the winter:
If you think you could be suffering from SAD or another form of depression, schedule an appointment to talk with your doctor right away. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, SAD doesn’t have to leave you struggling to cope until spring.
This article first appeared in the March 2019 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
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