50°
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression related to changes in the season. Symptons start in the fall and continue into the winter months for most people.
This winter’s intense grip since mid-January also could be affecting people, according to Doris Berardo of Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel. Berardo is a social worker who specializes in treatment of adults with mood and anxiety disorders.
“Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have SAD or another type of depression,’’ Berardo said. “The symptoms can be the same. If you see it during the same season year after year, it could be SAD. If this is the first onset, it will be hard to diagnose. If you’ve seen it occur in the last one, two or three years, or if someone in your family has it, it’s worth looking into.”
Berardo said people should not diagnose themselves and should speak to a physician.
Symptoms, according to a story from the Mayo Clinic, include:
- Irritability
- Tiredness or low energy
- Problems getting along with other people
- Hypersensitivity to rejection
- Heavy, "leaden" feeling in the arms or legs
- Oversleeping
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
SAD is diagnosed more frequently in women, but men may have more severe symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic story.
“People also tend to be sensitive to conversations and experience problems in relationships,’’ Berardo said. “They may be isolating more.”
Light therapy, medications and psychotherapy can help people affected by SAD. Berardo said recovery can vary, depending on the person and the severity of the issue
“It’s important to not judge and put all this weight on yourself,’’ Berardo said. “Know that it is real and it is a form of depression. Nobody means to get it. There is help for it. When you want to lay in bed and pull the covers of your head, that’s when you need to get up. That’s often the hardest thing to do.”
Berardo said being proactive and getting out of the house can help people with SAD.
“If what you’re doing is interfering in your life, it’s worth going the extra yard and speaking with someone,’’ she said. “Don’t self-diagnose. All of us could have the winter blues, especially this winter. But SAD is a different. Winter blues are more seasonal.”
Exercise and socialization also can help, according to a story on Healthywomen.org.
In most cases, according to the Mayo Clinic story, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during spring and summer. However, symptoms for some people begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.
Click here to read the Mayo Clinic story. Click here to find out more about Putnam Hospital Center.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Putnam and receive free news updates.
