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December is Seasonal Depression Awareness Month

Seasonal Depression (also called Winter Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD) is a type of depression that occurs with the change in seasons and may be related to the amount of available daylight.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, six out of every 100 Americans (6%) suffer from SAD. Another 10 to 20 percent may experience a milder form of SAD. SAD is more common in women than in men.

While it often begins in the late twenties, children and teenagers are also at risk. It is a condition that is more common in people living in northern parts of the country. Usually those affected by SAD become depressed in the fall and winter and feel better during the spring and summer.

People who suffer with SAD can experience trouble sleeping, changes in eating habits, lack of energy, and irritability. Symptoms may also include those observed with other types of depression, such as a lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable, unexplained physical aches and pains, and ongoing feelings of guilt and hopelessness. For those with SAD, symptoms tend to return every year around the same time. People suffering from SAD experience these and other symptoms to such a degree that they feel unable to function normally.

Scientists believe that SAD is most likely caused by the body's reaction to the lack of sunlight that is typical during winter months in northern regions. This belief, supported by research conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health, resulted in the development of light therapy as a treatment for SAD. If this type of therapy is considered a viable option for a person showing symptoms of SAD, a doctor will make the appropriate referral. Treatment may also include medication, behavior therapy, or a combination of all three. If you think you may be suffering with SAD, a doctor or other licensed mental health professional can help you determine the best treatment for you, based on your symptoms and previous experiences. Fortunately, with the right treatment, people with SAD no longer have to dread the changes in season that are as inevitable as the passing of time.