Ladies and theydies, daylight savings is among us. Therefore, seasonal depression is among us. Studies have shown that seasonal affective disorder impacts 0.5-3% of the general US population (although, we feel that it’s way more) and you just may be one of them.
What is SAD?
SAD is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons. Interestingly, seasonal depression is a subset of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder – meaning those that experience seasonal depression typically experience symptoms of either one of those two, but amplified more in the fall/winter months of the year (PMID: 32738138). Additionally, there’s actually a subset of folks that experience seasonal depression in the summer/spring months of the year.
The psychology
The psychology behind seasonal depression is still being largely explored by researchers. However, a large motif behind seasonal depression is our relationship with both your circadian rhythm (your sleep cycle), and the amount of sunlight you regularly receive. While it is difficult to pin down whether there are genetic inheritances that cause seasonal depression, several studies have identified certain genes you may have, that can be associated with whether or not you experience seasonal depression.
How to combat SAD
Popularly, Vitamin D and sun lamps have emerged as great ways to curb seasonal depression in the winter. In the summer months, vitamin D and closed blinds tend to be popular for those that experience vernal seasonal depression. As recommended by our Naturopathic Advisor (which absolutely does not make it medical advice, but rather a claim evidenced by prior research), a recommended dose of Vitamin D that could be helpful to fill in daily nutritional gaps could be 2500 micrograms. While this recommendation again does not constitute as medical advice, it would be very helpful to consult with your physician or medical professional about seasonal depression disorder and ways that other factors in your life may be influencing it.
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DISCLAIMER: THIS POST DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AS MEDICAL ADVICE. THIS POST IS NOT MEANT TO TREAT, CURE, PREVENT, OR DIAGNOSE CONDITIONS OR DISEASES; AND IS MEANT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. AS ALWAYS, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING ANY NEW TREATMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS.
