As the winter months inch closer and daylight hours continue to shrink, local healthcare providers are urging Granite Staters to protect themselves from seasonal depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD, is often brought on by environmental factors as seasons change, according to Catherine Dorr, a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner at Cheshire Medical Center.
“Seasonal Affective Disorder is very much like what you would think of as typical depression in terms of symptoms,” Dorr said. “So, sleeping more or sleeping less, change in appetite, eating more, eating less, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, feeling suicidal, not enjoying things you used to do — that kind of thing.”
Per the National Institutes of Health, SAD comes in two forms: winter pattern and summer pattern. The most common form of the disorder is winter pattern, which affects approximately 13 million people, roughly 5% of the U.S. population, according to a news release from ConvenientMD, an urgent care clinic with a location in Keene.
Dorr told The Sentinel that winter-pattern SAD is believed to be caused by a drop in serotonin, a chemical in the brain that regulates moods and emotions.
Research indicates exposure to sunlight triggers serotonin production. Shorter days in the winter can cause serotonin levels to drop if a patient does not get sufficient sunlight. Dorr added that feelings of drowsiness associated with SAD may be tied to spikes in melatonin levels brought on by shorter days.
Melatonin is a hormone that prepares the body for sleep. Dorr said melatonin is produced in response to darkness, and winter months can cause the body to create more of it.
SAD is more common in women than men and is more likely to affect those who have pre-existing mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, and anxiety disorder. It is also more common in young people.
Dorr said medical treatments for SAD include light box therapy, psychotherapy, Vitamin D supplements, and antidepressants. She cautioned those who may be suffering from SAD to consult a doctor before using light box therapy.
“People can purchase those on Amazon, but I don’t encourage people to use them without some direction because there is a certain strength of the light that you should use a certain amount of time during the day, certain distance you should sit away from the light,” Dorr said.
To be diagnosed with SAD, a patient must have symptoms of the disorder and depressive episodes that emerge during certain seasons for at least two consecutive years, Dorr said.
To lessen the symptoms of SAD, ConvenientMD recommends socializing, exercise, managing stress, and getting as much sunlight as possible.
ConvenientMD urged those who believe they may be suffering from SAD to schedule an appointment with a provider before symptoms worsen.
“You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe,” it wrote in a news release. “Seasonal Affective Disorder is treatable, and early evaluation can help prevent symptoms from worsening. If seasonal changes are affecting your mood, energy, sleep, relationships, or overall quality of life, consider reaching out to your medical provider.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing seasonal depression, you can schedule an appointment with a medical provider. Additional support is available through the Monadnock Peer Support warm line at 603-352-5094. The warm line is available Sundays through Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m. Around-the-clock help is also available via the suicide and crisis hotline at 988 or by calling 911.
Ben Baker can be reached at bbaker@keenesentinel.com or 603-355-8575.
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