What Is the Difference Between Seasonal Affective Disorder and Depression?

Do you find that your feelings of depression or sadness increase during the winter months? Have you ever wondered if your winter blues are an actual mental health disorder? You may have heard the term seasonal affective disorder (SAD) but may not be very clear as to precisely what it is or if it is treatable. Today we are going explore the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and various treatments.

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. According to Psychology Today, an estimated 10 million people suffer from the disorder. In order to meet the criteria for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you must first meet the criteria for major depressive disorder and have experienced the symptoms for at least two years during the late fall and early winter months.

Symptoms of major depressive disorder include:

Slowed psychomotor activity (speaking, walking, writing, moving)
Anhedonia or a loss of pleasure in once enjoyable activities
Loss of energy or fatigue.
Difficulty concentrating
Suicidal thoughts
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Weight loss or weight gain
Change in sleep hygiene including oversleeping or difficulty falling/staying asleep
Irritability

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Symptoms specific to seasonal affective disorder include:

Sleeping too much or hypersomnia
Weight gain
Overeating
Craving carbohydrates
Social withdrawal or isolation
Reduced energy

The cold months often bring an increased urge to withdraw and hibernate. The bitter cold, biting winds, and icy roads make it easy to want to stay in your warm bed and hibernate from the world all day. Experiencing some of the listed symptoms, especially if they are milder in form, is normal and is usually just a case of the “winter blues.” However, if you find yourself experiencing these symptoms on a moderate or severe level, you should consider talking to a professional. There are also additional risk factors that may make you more likely to develop seasonal affective disorder.

Risk Factors for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder is more common in women and typically occurs between late fall and lasts through winter. Other risk factors for SAD include:

Living far away from the equator
Previous diagnosis of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder
Being a young adult
Family history of depression

Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder

While the cause of seasonal affective disorder is unknown, research has uncovered some biological contributors. For example, research has shown that people with seasonal affective disorder have problems with regulation of a neurotransmitter in the brain, serotonin, which plays a crucial role in mood and depression. A reduction in the amount of serotonin in your brain may lead to mood imbalances and contribute to the development of SAD in the winter months.

Additionally, people with SAD may overproduce the hormone melatonin. If melatonin sounds familiar to you, it is probably because it is available for purchase over the counter to help promote better sleep. It induces feelings of drowsiness and lethargy. Research also suggests that people with SAD produce less vitamin D during the winter months. Vitamin D influences serotonin activity in the brain.

Seek Help for Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder

If you think you may have seasonal affective disorder, you do not have to suffer through it. Talk to your doctor to see if you meet the criteria for a diagnosis. Your doctor may prescribe medication, recommend psychotherapy with a licensed professional, or a combination of these and other options. Other options include taking vitamin D supplements and light therapy.

Remember that treatments are available to you and that depression during the winter is common. You can take steps, however, to make getting through the winter months more comfortable and more enjoyable for you. Depending on where you live, the winter months can feel like they last for an eternity, so talk to a doctor about helping you create a plan based on your symptoms and your needs, to help you survive and thrive this winter.