Photo By Senior Airman Jennifer Gonzales | Seasonal Affective Disorder commonly develops in late fall and may last through the...... read more read more
Courtesy story, Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
Holiday blues, seasonal depression, and other terms have been used to describe what is now known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and more often than not, many factors play a role on an individual’s ability to be affected by this disorder each year around the holidays.
In most cases, SAD symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. More serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities.
“Too many may suffer with SAD and do not get the appropriate treatment and so it’s often overlooked or simply viewed as the winter blues, or not so bad,” says Dr. Mark Long, a Public Health Educator at the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. “Additionally there may be stigma associated with SAD and getting help,” he adds.
While anyone can be affected by SAD, but there are millions of Americans who may be more vulnerable due to additional factors. Dr. Long references the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5), which categorizes SAD as a form of Major Depressive Disorder.
“According to the literature, risk factors for SAD may include- younger adults, women more than men, and a family history of depression,” says Long. “Also at risk are those who live further north from the equator who get less sunlight.”
The exact causes of SAD are unknown. Researchers have found that people with SAD may have an imbalance of serotonin, a brain chemical that affects your mood. Their bodies also make too much melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, and not enough vitamin D.
To be on the safe side, it is worth good consideration to look into talking with a professional and discussing what options are available as opposed to when it may be too late. Dr. Long mentions some indicators to look for as, “when it is negatively affecting their life, relationships at work or when an individual is feeling “blue” and unhappy.”
Alcohol can significantly affect an individual’s feelings of depression, as it is a depressant itself. Drinking alcohol not only contributes to increased feelings of sadness in some individuals, it can also cause some antidepressants to be less effective.
There may not be a singular cure or treatment for SAD, but Dr. Long notes that there are avenues available for those affected by this form of depression.
“The proven treatments for SAD include the use of light therapy, anti-depressant medications and counseling,” Long says. “Also outside activities, exposure to sunlight, being active and exercising, getting sufficient sleep and eating healthy are helpful.”
But the most important advice may be simple when moving forward to address SAD according to Dr. Long, “Please seek the help from a medical professional.”
The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) develops and shapes public health for the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps through health surveillance, epidemiology and analysis, disease and injury prevention, and public health consultation. Learn more by going to www.nmcphc.med.navy.mil. Follow NMCPHC on social media at https://www.facebook.com/NavyAndMarineCorpsPublicHealthCenter http://twitter.com/nmcphc and https://www.instagram.com/nmcphc/
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2021 10:08 |
| Story ID: | 410710 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 639 |
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