Pharmacist Abbas Kanani, on behalf of Chemist Click UK, shared the signs to look out for that mean you could be suffering the condition.
“Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is characterised by feelings that are similar to that of depression as the season changes,” Kanani explained.
Most commonly, people are affected in the UK as autumn transitions into the winter.
The mornings and evenings will be drenched in darkness up until December 21, which will be the shortest day of the year.
As for how long it takes for a person to experience SAD, Kanani admitted: “It’s difficult to say… every case is different.”
Do be on the lookout for symptoms of SAD, which include:
- Persistent low mood
- Loss of pleasure
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
- Feeling irritable
- Feelings of despair, guilt, worthlessness
- Lack of energy
- Finding it hard to get up in the mornings
- Feeling sleepy during the day
- Sleeping for longer than normal
- Weight gain
- Craving carbohydrates
- Difficulty focusing
- Lower sex drive.
Kanani explained the cause of SAD and the symptoms the condition can cause.
“One of the causes of SAD is an increase in the production of melatonin,” Kanani began.
“Your circadian rhythm (also known as your body clock), produces melatonin when it’s dark, causing a sensation of drowsiness.”
How to best prevent SAD
Kanani advised tweaking your body clock by exposing yourself to as much natural sunlight as possible to reduce the amount of melatonin produced.
If you are unable to be outside during daylight hours, then Kanani recommends light therapy.
Kanani explained: “A special lamp called a light box is used to simulate exposure to sunlight.”
Additional measures for when you start to experience SAD is to exercise more, to manage stress levels, and to talk about how you’re feeling.
Kanani praised the benefits of seeking counselling or taking up cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
“Antidepressant medicine, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can help to increase the level of the hormone serotonin in your brain, which can help lift your mood,” added Kanani.
If you are struggling with symptoms of SAD, and you are struggling to cope, Kanani advised seeking advice from your doctor.
“If you have noticed a pattern of feeling low every year, but don’t know why, you should go and speak to your doctor,” he added.