Winter SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer; this is known as winter-pattern SAD or winter depression. Seasonal pattern disorders occur most frequently in winter although they can also occur in summer.

People with seasonal affective disorder have difficulty regulating the neurotransmitter serotonin, a neurotransmitter believed to be responsible for balancing mood.

Among the symptoms of winter depressive disorders:
*Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
*Feeling sluggish or agitated
*Hibernation reflex
*Daytime fatique
*Craving foods with lots of sugar like cakes, candies, and cookies
*Weight gain by eating extra carbohydrates
*Hopeless, feeling less motivated and feeling withdrawn
*Losing interest in activities once enjoyed before
*Heavy feeling in arms and legs
* Having difficulty concentrating
*Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

*Having problems with sleep. Sleeping too much, or difficulty waking up (common with SAD in winter)

Some people with winter SAD seem to produce higher levels of melatonin and lower level of serotonin during winter. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that responds to darkness by causing sleepiness.

At night, a tiny gland in the brain produces a chemical called melatonin, which helps the person sleep. Shortened daylight hours in winter can alter this natural rhythm and lead to SAD in certain people.

With less outdoor exposure to sunlight on the skin in winter, people with SAD may produce less Vitamin D. As Vitamin D is believed to play a role in serotonin activity, Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency have been associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms
Winter SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
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