Winter is Tough on Emotions
Depression caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder
Victoria Gehman
Issue date: 11/23/09 Section: Health
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Lucille Larney Ph.D., a psychologist in Albany, describes SAD as a depressive reaction people have to winter and a lack of sun. SAD is also related to a lack of vitamin D. "People get vitamin D from the sun," Dr. Larney said. "During the winter months and the decrease in sunlight, some people are more sensitive than others." Patients who have been diagnosed with SAD have been experiencing depressive symptoms during the winter months for two consecutive years, with a lack of symptoms during spring and summer, Dr. Larney said.
People diagnosed with SAD have experienced feelings of depression. Dr. Chun said some patients have a tendency to over-eat in the winter time. "They crave sweets such as chocolate and candy." Patients who over-eat experience weight gain and less energy, which can cause them to be more depressed. Other symptoms include difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed, loss of sex-drive and occasionally suicidal thoughts.
Douglas Vine, a 23-year-old psychiatric counselor was diagnosed with SAD three years ago. Vine said the most common symptoms of SAD include lack of energy, changes in appetite, loss of sex drive and general feelings of depression. "I'm usually quite happy in spring and summer, but you don't want to be around me past September," Vine said. "I'm a completely different person."
Deborah Elston, a 47-year-old waitress from Rhode Island was diagnosed with SAD fifteen years ago. Elston described her symptoms as feeling like the lights have been turned off and you are all alone in the dark. "My depression never kicks in until October," Elston said. "Every year it's the same thing…crying, eating too much, feeling hopeless."
About one in twenty people suffer from SAD, with women being three times more likely than men to be affected. Both Dr. Chun and Dr. Larney said that SAD is more prevalent in the northeast and higher latitude regions, such as Canada. Days get shorter the further north you go, therefore SAD is more common in northern countries.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, age is a strong predictor among patients suffering from SAD. Young people are at higher risk for winter depressive episodes. Dr. Larney works with college students who are affected by SAD, but also knows adults who have it as well. "If you have SAD as a college student you will probably have it into adulthood," Dr. Larney said.
Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether someone has SAD or regular depression. Dr. Larney said the main difference is that regular depression comes on in a reactive way. People become depressed due to a break-up, loss of a loved one, job loss and other similar situations. With SAD it is hard to identify what the cause of the depression is. SAD is a response to the changes of the seasons and the patterns of the sun.