Understanding & Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a seasonal form of depression, officially characterized in the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 as Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern (Melrose, 2015). Common symptoms of SAD include depressed mood, irritability, increased sleep duration/frequency, and loss of energy. Individuals with SAD typically experience symptoms beginning in fall, which continue through the winter months, often worsening near the winter solstice, when daylight is the most limited.
At Risk for SAD?
There are several risk factors for developing SAD. SAD is more likely to be diagnosed in women than men, in individuals who live far from the equator, younger folks are at higher risk, as the risk of developing SAD decreases with age, and those with a family history of depression, bipolar disorder, or SAD are also at higher risk (Melrose, 2015). SAD is typically diagnosed using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), a high-validity self-administered screening questionnaire originally developed in 1984 (Melrose, 2015).
Treatments
There are several common treatments for SAD. One of the most accessible treatment options is light therapy. People who are experiencing SAD can purchase a bright light designed to mimic sunlight, which can be used at home to help counteract the severity of SAD. For folks who do not get relief from light therapy, or who could benefit from additional supports, both counseling and antidepressant medication can be helpful in treating SAD.
Vitamin D supplementation is another common treatment. Research indicates that low levels of Vitamin D are associated with depression. Individuals living far from the equator (33 degrees north or 30 degrees south) are unable to synthesize Vitamin D from November to February, highlighting the need for supplementation (Melrose, 2015). WiseMEDs offers Vitamin D3 K2 in two convenient forms: capsules or liquid drops.
Reference
Melrose S. (2015). Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. Depression research and treatment, 2015, 178564. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/178564