Winter is coming, and fortunately spring comes just after that … but in the meantime, we have to deal with the winter. “Winter” is a word that has been used to signify a downturn in events from everything from Shakespeare to Game Of Thrones. This is because winter can encourage feeling of sadness and depression in some people.
Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a condition in which one feels particularly low during certain seasons (usually the winter). If the individual already has anxiety or depression, SAD will magnify the symptoms. At this time of year, I often see clients who tell me that they always feel bad as the night’s draw in.
As well as a low mood, symptoms include difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, changes in the amount of sleep, and a lowering of sex drive.
The causes are not known, but it is suspected that the change in the amount of daylight hours is a strong contributing factor. Genetics too are a potential cause.
How Common is SAD
A 2021 survey of 2,000 adults in the UK suggests that around one in twenty have been diagnosed with SAD, and that about three times as many as that suffer from low moods in autumn and winter (although they don’t know why).
Official figures from USA suggest that up to 3% of the US population suffer from SAD.
My personal experience is that: for the people I see in my anxiety clinic, I would expect that SAD symptoms occur more commonly than these figures suggest in people with anxiety.
Treatment of SAD
Whether or not someone has been diagnosed with SAD, there are various treatments available. Broadly speaking, these break down as follows:
- Self-help measures – such as getting out into the natural sunlight as long as you can each day
- Light therapy – here you need a special light (known as a light box) which simulates natural sunlight – you need to sit in front of this light for some time each day
- Talking therapy – where you work with a therapist to help you get through the season
And Finally …
I help people with anxiety and other mood disorders such as SAD using hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is a combination of a talking therapy and hypnosis. If cannot manage your symptoms on your own, you can Contact Me and I will be happy to talk to you about what I can offer. I work out of my clinic in Fleet, Hampshire as well as working online.
References
NHS overview of seasonal affective disorder – SAD
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/
Mind overview of seasonal affective disorder – SAD
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/about-sad/
Micro Biz Mag SAD survey
https://www.microbizmag.co.uk/seasonal-affective-disorder-statistics/
USA National Library of Medicine over view of SAD
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/seasonal-affective-disorder/
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