Scarlett discusses Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D), a mental health issue facing one fifth of the population
Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) is a form of depression typically exacerbated during winter. Although, some people can experience symptoms of prolonged low mood in the summer and not in the winter. S.A.D is believed to be driven by the fact that humans are exposed to less sunlight during autumn and winter due to shorter days. This is thought to cause too much of the sleep hormone melatonin produced in the brain’s hypothalamus to be released, resulting in more tiredness and fatigue than normal. Melatonin is an important hormone involved in regulating our internal body clock, telling us to sleep at night when the sun has gone down and wake in the day when the sun has come up. The hypothalamus is also a part of the brain which regulates emotions and appetite. So, S.A.D can result in an increased or decreased appetite and low
Image: Toa Heftiba, Unsplash moods over the course of the winter months and a lack of pleasure usually derived from activities (anhedonia).
You may feel lethargic, sleep more and/ or sleep during daytime, yet find it harder to get up each morning.
As someone who lives with S.A.D and has experienced its effects on and off since I was eight years old, I know how challenging it can be to try and do normal activities and work when S.A.D hits. You may feel lethargic, and find it harder than normal to get up in the morning. sleeping more than usual. Perhaps you crave carbohydrate foods and may want to eat more. In any case, symptoms of S.A.D fall somewhere on a spectrum from mild to severe, so aren’t exactly the same for everyone.
You are not alone if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and there is support out there.
A diagnosis of S.A.D is made if you have experienced two to three consecutive winters with these symptoms. If this is you, there is lots you can do to help yourself. This includes increasing light exposure by taking short walks outdoors in the day, eating lunch outside or purchasing a S.A.D lamp alarm clock, something that has helped me enormously with getting up in the morning. Otherwise, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly to improve your heart health can help. If these remedies aren’t useful, talk to your GP and they may recommend something called light therapy and/ or cognitive behavioural therapy. You are not alone if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and there is support out there.
Here are some helpful links to support you:
More information on S.A.D and how you can manage it: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/
My favourite S.A.D lamp alarm clock, designed to produce 10,000 lux of light, imitating the sun coming up in the morning and helping you to wake up: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunrise-Alarm-Clock-Light-Built/dp/B09FPL11ZQ/ref=sr_1_17?crid=1D1A0P3MJZKNS&keywords=sad+alarm+clock+lumie&qid=1678793201&sprefix=sad+alarm+clock+lumie%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-17