What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder And How Can You Combat It? | HuffPost Life

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder And How Can You Combat It?

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

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Cold weather, excessive heating bills and leaving the office in the pitch black. Yep you guess it, winter's officially here.

If you've got a serious case of the winter blues, then chances are you could be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (otherwise known as SAD).

SAD can cause all manner of health issues including severe depression and extreme fatigue. Bizarrely, it can also cause cravings for carbohydrates.

According to this video from Newsy, there are various ways that winter depression can affect you. From struggling to maintain relationships, to an increase in risk behaviours such as taking drugs or excessive alcohol consumption.

It can have a big impact on your life and can even affect your ability to make sound choices.

SEE ALSO:
Seasonal Affective Disorder: What Are The Symptoms And How Can You Treat It?
10 Facts You May Not Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

While it might seem like you're constantly stuck in a downward spiral once winter hits, there are ways to combat winter depression:

:: 15 minutes of sunshine can help you to feel better and can improve the quality of your sleep. It can also lower your blood pressure and provide vitamin D.

:: Where sunshine isn't accessible (ahem England) then light therapy is equally as effective.

:: Exercise can also provide a much needed boost. One hour of exercise can have the same effects as two hours of light therapy. Let's hear it for star jumps.

:: Take multivitamins.

:: Keep busy and plan activities. During the winter it can be difficult to motivate yourself to go outdoors. But it's really important to do this and can help you feel better.

:: Use it as a last resort, but if you feel like you cannot cope then speak to your doctor who can prescribe anti-depressants.

Do you suffer from SAD? What helps you to stay upbeat during the winter? Tweet us @HuffPoLifestyle

10 Facts About Seasonal Affective Disorder

It's New (01 of10)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is officially new: Seasons have always existed, of course, but SAD was only officially recognized as a disorder in the 1980s. That means that awareness of its seriousness — or that it even exists — is still limited. (credit:Shutterstock)

Some People Get The Less Serious Form(02 of10)

Some people get a less serious form: Ever heard of the winter blues? It's a mild form of SAD that can interfere with everyday life, but is different from SAD in that its effects are less debilitating. It's thought that the winter blues may affect up to 15 per cent of the population. (credit:Shutterstock)

It Can Hit You In Warmer Months (03 of10)

There is such a thing as summer SAD too: It's rarer, but summer depression is another milder form of SAD. Those affected usually start to experience symptoms like poor appetite, weight loss, and sleep disturbances in late spring or early summer. (credit:Shutterstock)

It's Not Known What Causes SAD (04 of10)

The cause of seasonal affective disorder is not yet known. It's believed that it's related to our internal biological clocks, which regulate our circadian rhythms. Some experts think that the differences in light and the length of the day in the winter months affect our circadian rhythms, which then affects our mood. Other research indicates that our neurotransmitters — which regulate sleep, mood, and appetite —may get messed up when someone is suffering from SAD. (credit:Shutterstock)

The Symptoms Can Look Like Something Else (05 of10)

The symptoms of SAD resemble those of other mental illnesses, like depression and bipolar disorder, and include changes in appetite, intense carb and sugar cravings, weight gain, reduced energy, fatigue, oversleeping, anxiety and sadness, and avoidance of social situations. (credit:Shutterstock)

More Common In Younger Adults (06 of10)

SAD tends to start appearing in people older than 20, and the risk decreases after the age of 50. However, it can also affect children and teens, and it tends to run in families where other members have experienced depression. (credit:Shutterstock)

More Women Are SAD (07 of10)

Women are more likely than men to suffer from SAD, but it's not known why. The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario reports that women are up to eight times as likely as men to have SAD. (credit:Shutterstock)

Some Countries Are Harder Hit (08 of10)

There is some research indicating that seasonal affective disorder is more common in countries further north, which have shorter winter days or extended periods with very little light at all, in some very northern areas. Shift workers, and workers who don't experience much natural daylight at work and/or home, may also be affected. (credit:Shutterstock)

You Might Want To Book A Vacation (09 of10)

People who experience the winter blues or SAD may find some relief by heading south. A trip to a warmer destination with longer daylight hours might help you get through the colder months of the year by providing temporary relief. (credit:Shutterstock)

There Is Help Available (10 of10)

There is help available: If you're experiencing symptoms that are interfering with your day-to-day life, and especially if you are experiencing thoughts of self harm or suicide. MDOA reports that research showed that light therapy with special lamps had an antidepressant effect in 70 per cent of SAD sufferers. Other treatment options include getting more exposure to daylight, exercising, medication, maintaining a healthy diet, and counselling or therapy. (credit:Shutterstock)

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uk lifestyle news Health Seasonal affective disorder depression Mental Health

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