Feeling SAD? It Could Be Seasonal Depression.
Posted December 3, 2018
As temperatures continue to drop, you might find your mood dropping with it. The colder months can be extremely stressful with finals around the corner, application deadlines approaching and more. However, is it possible that the change in weather could be contributing to a change in mood, as well?
Seasonal depression is something that many of us have probably heard of, and have maybe even suffered from. But what is it? How can it be avoided? How can it be diagnosed? Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Counseling Services Director, Dr. Courtney Boddie, has some answers.
What is seasonal depression?
CB: “Seasonal depression, referred to clinically as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is not a stand-alone form of depression, but instead speaks to the pattern of when people experience depression significant enough to limit life functioning. In order to be classified as “seasonal,” the patterned depressive states need to have been present for at least two years.”
What are the symptoms of seasonal depression?
CB: “Symptoms of depression generally follow the acronym SIGECAPS, referencing changes in the following levels:
- Sleep (more or less)
- Interests (from having some to having few or none)
- Guilt (feeling high levels of it)
- Energy (feeling low levels of it)
- Concentration (having difficulty with it)
- Appetite (more or less)
- Psychomotor retardation (means moving more slowly than usual)
- Suicidality (possible presence of thoughts of ending one’s life)
One does not have to experience all of these, just some, to say they are facing depression. Classic characteristics of SAD occurring during cold weather with less daylight include the following:
- Having low energy
- Sleeping a lot more than usual
- Eating a lot more than usual and resultant weight gain
- Cravings for carbohydrates
- Social withdrawal (feel like “hibernating”)”
How do I know if someone I know (a friend, roommate, etc.) is suffering from seasonal depression?
CB: “While only a qualified health provider can render a diagnosis, I would ask the following questions to gauge whether or not professional attention is needed:
- Does the person I know experience SIGECAPS? If so, which?
- Do they bother the person, or are they simply present with little impact on their ability to function in life?
- If they bother the person, ask further questions, such as:
- For how long have you felt this way?
- Is there a seasonal pattern (e.g., do you notice that weather shifts lower your overall mood?)
- If yes, referral to a mental health professional would be helpful.”
Who (most often) suffers from seasonal depression?
CB: “Age and gender appear to matter. Youth are more likely to experience SAD than elders. Cisgender women are the most often affected, experiencing SAD at a rate of four times that of cisgender men. We are still in the early phases of collecting comprehensive data about the spectrum of gender identity, as such, we know little overall about how individuals identifying as trans* and gender non-conforming fit into this picture.”
Can seasonal depression be avoided? If so, how?
CB: “Since family history (and therefore heredity) plays a role in who experiences most psychological disorders, it may be hard to avoid SAD. Knowing yourself (patterns and changes in response to weather) can go a long way to preventing yourself from feeling the full impact of SAD (and most disorders, for that matter.)”
What are the best treatments for seasonal depression?
CB: “The following have been found to help either alone or in combination (under the guidance of qualified health providers): Medication, light therapy, psychotherapy, Vitamin D.”
When is the right time to visit a professional if you feel like you have depression? How do I know whether I have depression or if I'm just feeling sadness/loneliness/etc.?
CB: “The best thing we can do as a society for health is to internalize the following phrase: An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.
Early preventive interventions are best. Based on this, I suggest reframing the idea of psychotherapy as a pure intervention. If we instead look at it as a way of establishing a mental health check-up and maintenance system, we can do a lot in the way of preventing further decline in functioning. That said, I suggest everyone be seen at least once by a mental health provider in order to see where they are overall and to learn how to self-assess changes and ways to respond. Of course, we do provide interventions for those experiencing any degree of suffering and would want you to reference the questions asked in, “How do I know if someone I know is suffering from seasonal depression?” as a guide for determining when a bad day has turned into a bad life situation.”
What kind of resources do we have available on campus for mental health treatment?
CB: “SIUE Counseling & Health Services offers a number of helpful options to enhance student well-being. We are located in the Student Success Center on the first floor. You can call 618-650-2842 or walk-in to make an appointment. Schedule an appointment for an initial assessment, and we’ll take it from there!”
If you feel like you’re experiencing depression, or even if you’re unsure, it never hurts to visit a professional. At SIUE, we take mental health of our students very seriously. SIUE Counseling Services offers free care and numerous options for students in need.
Author: Kiara Laack, senior, mass communications