#82 - NOURISH YOUR FLOURISH NUGGET | Feeling SAD?: Seasonal Affective Disorder

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Many people go through short periods of time where they feel sad or not like their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. People may start to feel “down” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter (also called “winter blues”) and begin to feel better in the spring, with longer daylight hours.

In some cases, these mood changes are more serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior whenever the seasons change, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression.

In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer (winter-pattern SAD or winter depression). Some people may experience depressive episodes during the spring and summer months; this is called summer-pattern SAD or summer depression and is less common.

What are the signs and symptoms of SAD?
SAD is not considered a separate disorder but is a type of depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months per year. Therefore, the signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with major depression, and some specific symptoms that differ for winter-pattern and summer-pattern SAD. Not every person with SAD will experience all of the symptoms listed below.

Symptoms of major depression may include:

Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every dayLosing interest in activities you once enjoyedExperiencing changes in appetite or weightHaving problems with sleepFeeling sluggish or agitatedHaving low energyFeeling hopeless or worthlessHaving difficulty concentratingHaving frequent thoughts of death or suicide

For winter-pattern SAD, additional specific symptoms may include:

Oversleeping (hypersomnia)Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydratesWeight gainSocial withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”)The podcast's hashtag is #nourishyourflourish. You can also find our practice on the following social media outlets:

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The hashtag for the podcast is #nourishyourflourish. You can also find our firm, The Eudaimonia Center on the following social media outlets:

Facebook: The Eudaimonia Center
Instagram: theeudaimoniacenter
Twitter: eu_daimonism

For more integrative reproductive medicine and women's health information and other valuable resources, make sure to visit our website.

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