Seasonal depression, which is also referred to as seasonal affective disorder, is a unique form of depression that occurs at roughly the same time each year—usually in the fall and winter months. While rarer, summertime depression is another possible variation. Here is a quick look at this unusual condition, including its symptoms, causes, demographics, and treatments.
Symptoms of Seasonal Depression
Symptoms of seasonal depression have a lot of overlap with the symptoms of general depression. These include unexplained sadness, a loss of interest in activities or hobbies, fatigue, anxiety, and problems staying focused. Additionally, those suffering from summertime seasonal depression may also experience appetite loss, insomnia, feelings of restlessness, and weight loss.
Causes of Seasonal Depression
While the exact causes of this condition are still unknown, most researchers believe it has to do with a decreased availability of sunlight, which is characteristic of seasonal changes. It’s thought that sunlight is important in regulating several body processes, including regulating a person’s mood and hormones, and therefore a lack of natural light may alter these processes.
Demographics of Seasonal Depression
It’s estimated that about 500,000 people suffer from seasonal depression, although 10 to 20% of these cases may be so mild that they go unnoticed. While this condition can affect anyone of any age, the typical onset age is early adulthood, and more than 75% of people living with seasonal depression are women.
Treatment of Seasonal Depression
Before turning to medications in order to treat seasonal depression, many doctors will recommend lifestyle changes to their patients—including waking up early and going outside to receive more natural sunlight. If this proves difficult for a patient, a doctor may also recommend phototherapy, which involves exposure to artificially generated light of a certain wavelength that has been shown to reduce symptoms of the condition. Finally, if these methods prove to be unsuccessful, doctors will generally recommend traditional antidepressants.
