Summer Ends: Seasonal Affective Disorder Arrives
For many the end of summer means one thing: pumpkin spice lattes. For others, it is cozy sweaters, football, and family gatherings. But for a significant portion of the world, the end of summer means the dreaded S.A.D. is just around the corner.
What is S.A.D.?
S.A.D. is short for seasonal affective disorder, a major depressive disorder with an onset of the darker months of the year when the sun is less likely to emerge for long periods of time. Symptoms of S.A.D. include depression, weight gain, social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, oversleeping and exhaustion, feelings of hopelessness, and, in some extreme cases, thoughts of self-harm.
Unfortunately, some people are more at risk for seasonal affective disorder than others. For instance, young women who live far from the equator and have a family history of depression are more at risk than men of the same age who live in the same location. Research around S.A.D. is relatively new, and most scientists don’t understand why it happens. Some potential causes include trouble regulating serotonin levels, overproduction of melatonin, and less vitamin D production.
How to Prepare for S.A.D.
“S.A.D.” has become a sort of buzz word lately with more and more people coming out as annual sufferers. Because of this, treatments have become more routine. If you suffer from S.A.D., some of the ways you might prepare for it include:
Getting on a morning schedule where you are waking with the sunrise. When you wake up with the sun and fill your vision with direct morning sunlight, you are better able to regulate your melatonin production.
Create a nighttime hobby like crafting or reading before bed. Keeping an interesting hobby for the evening will help you feel more in control of the early setting sun.
Form a workout routine, which can push you out of a negative mindset.
Make a hibernation den. Find a space in your home or room that you can revamp and give you a fresh start for the season. This is one of the reasons I love seasonal decorations and crafts. I make my space match the season, which helps me look forward to it and gives me a sense of accomplishment.
And if all else fails, let yourself cry. Crying may not seem super helpful when you are in a depressive state, but it actually triggers a release of anxiety that can be quite therapeutic for individuals suffering from S.A.D.
Just remember, thousands of people across the country suffer with S.A.D. You are not alone. You will make it through to spring when the flowers start to bloom and sun shines extra bright.