Q&A

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Q: What is SAD?
A: According to the National Institute of Mental Health.  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight.  With SAD, depression generally lifts during spring and summer.  SAD can affect a persona interpersonally as well as in terms of work performance by causing significant and marked impairment in functioning.

Q: How many people are affected by SAD?
A: It is estimated that approximately 10% of the American population is affected by SAD.  That's just over 30 million people.

Q: How is SAD diagnosed?
A: To diagnose SAD, a therapist will look for repeated episodes of depression that occur year after year.  The therapist will also check for obvious seasonal related stressors, like being regularly laid off from work during winter months.

Q: What are some symptoms of SAD?
A: Symptoms include depression, feelings of hopelessness and thoughts that life is not worth living, anxiety, loss of energy, social withdrawal, oversleeping, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, appetite changes, weight gain, and difficulty concentrating or processing information.

Q: How is SAD treated?
A: Treatment may include psychotherapy which teaches SAD patients to recognize and change negative thoughts and learn healthy ways to manage seasonal affective disorder.  Another treatment is light therapy, including dawn simulation and negative ion therapy.  Various forms of light therapy are designed to decrease melatonin secretion, and while light therapy helps many people, it's not for everyone so medication is also considered for treatment.

Q: What can I do to help support a loved one dealing with SAD?
A: Learning more about SAD will help you better understand the problem and be able to help.  Show support by helping with everyday things and remind your loved one things will get better.  it is also important to remember not to judge or criticize.  Do not take a SAD sufferer's withdrawal personally.  Understand it is not your responsibility to make that person feel fine.

Q: When should a person seek professional advice to see if he or she is suffering from SAD?
A: Seek help if you suspect you are suffering from SAD.  Seek help if your daily function is significantly impaired or if you experience major feelings of depression.  Seek help if your physical functions are markedly disturbed during the winter months.  If you or a loved one is dealing with any of these issues, contact your Behavioral Health provider for an assessment or see your primary care physician for a referral to Behavioral Health for a complete assessment.

LifeCare professionals licensed and trained to treat SAD include Jan Carr; LICSW; Dr. Adam Guilmino, LP; Kim Guilmino, LGSW; and Dr. Patricia Hunter.  To learn more about Seasonal Affective Disorder or other mental health concerns, contact LifeCare Medical Center's Behavioral Health Department at (218) 463-2500