Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Does your mental health pick up in spring and summer? Do you get depressed during autumn and winter? If so you may find this article of some interest:

Why does the sun play such an important part in our emotional wellbeing ? The sun creates vitamin D when it hits ours skin, In the warmer months when we are exposed to more sunlight we experience an increase in vitamin D, the presence of this vitamin is said to improve our serotonin levels, memory and cognition. In the winter months our levels of vitamin D decrease, vitamin D deficiency is associated with many different disorders, such as depression.

Serotonin is a natural mood lifting chemical, in fact serotonin is the chemical targeted by a class of anti-depressants called SSRIs, which keep higher levels of serotonin in the bloodstream to help elevate mood. The more sunlight the human body is exposed to, the more serotonin the brain produces. So sunlight increases Vitamin D and Serotonin which is good for our emotional wellbeing, however the sun is also useful as it suppresses the release of the hormone melatonin.

Melatonin controls our sleep cycles, more melatonin induces sleep and less being associated with wake-fullness. It also plays a role in the regulation of female menstrual hormones. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the natural hormone melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood. So as we can see the seasons affect our biological clock (circadian rhythm).

Many people's moods are naturally affected by the weather, however many people who live with a mental health disorder notice a big change in their emotional wellbeing as the seasons change. People can get depressed, with symptoms like sadness, fatigue and hopelessness from a lack of sunlight. But in the warmer months symptoms can change from depression to elevated mood, more energy and elation.

If your mental health suffers when autumn and winter hits by experiencing a severe downturn in mood, but improves in spring and summer you may be experiencing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This disorder runs in cycles of depression and wellness that follow the seasons more specifically, the availability of sunlight. SAD is particularly prevalent in parts of the world with little winter daylight and/or extended overcast periods. Many people find light therapy beneficial during the darker months.

If you think you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder professional advice should be sought.

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