Ever wondered why certain days make you weepy, irritable, sad or angry?
Whether you know it or not, but the weather plays a big role in
deciding your mood. Affecting thousands around the globe, this
disorder is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D), which is a
type of clinical depression, that follows a seasonal pattern. Some
people experience a serious mood change when seasons change.
Clinical Psychologist Seema Hingorrany says that this mostly occurs
during the winter or rainy season. "Some experts think it's a lack of
sunlight during these seasons, when days are shorter. Insufficient
exposure to sunlight has been associated with low levels of melatonin
and serotonin, two neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin has a
soothing, calming effect on a person and its absence can bring on
feelings of depression. As seasons change, there is a shift in our
biological internal clocks, partly due to changes in sunlight
patterns. Like all forms of depressive illness, SAD can vary greatly
in severity and can be a severely debilitating condition. Many
patients can be perfectly healthy during spring and summer but unable
to function during winter. This leads to obvious problems with work
and family life," says Seema.
According to Psychiatrist Dr Jyoti Sangle, this disorder is a cyclic,
seasonal condition, which means that symptoms come back and go away at
the same time every year. "Problems may start out mild and become more
severe as the season progresses. The sudden onset of symptoms in an
otherwise well-adjusted individual and the regularity of the pattern
is usually difficult to be understood by family members and employers.
This makes the situation worse for the sufferer," she says.
Symptoms:
Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness, anxiety,
loss of energy, social withdrawal, oversleeping or difficulty in
initiating and maintaining sleep, loss of interest in activities you
once enjoyed, appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in
carbohydrates maybe even leading to weight gain or the other extreme
of severe loss of appetite leading to weight loss. The former is more
common, difficulty concentrating and processing information,
irritability and agitation.
Psychologist Dimple Shah says that the specific cause of this disorder
remains unknown. "It may affect adults, teens and children. About 6 in
100 people experience SAD. Many factors may be responsible, including
our genes. A person's behaviour changes significantly from the way
they normally feel and act. They may become more sensitive and self
critical, get upset and cry easily, lose interest in activities which
they used to like and be unable to enjoy themselves as before. They
may lose interest in friends and social activities, and thus isolate
themselves," she says.
Treatment:
- Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that certain ways of thinking
can trigger certain mental health problems such as depression. A
therapist helps you understand your thought patterns - particularly to
identify any harmful, unhelpful, and 'false' ideas or thoughts, which
you have that depress you.
- Natural sunlight, even on an overcast day, will help alleviate
symptoms. Going for a walk outside every day for an hour during the
daytime may ease symptoms.
- Eat a well-balanced diet and include sufficient amounts of vitamins
and minerals. This helps you get more energy even though your body is
craving starchy and sweet foods.
- Stay involved with your social circle and regular activities. Social
support is extremely important for those with mood disorders. Seek
professional counselling, if needed, during these months.
- Severe cases may require medication, usually mood stabilisers or
antidepressants. Yoga, meditation and exercise also help.
