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IS IT SAD? SEASONAL DEPRESSION
A CHALLENGING TIME Written By Brian S. Taylor, M.D.
Are you starting to feel down, wanting to sleep more or having carbohydrate cravings?
If so, it could be seasonal depression. While the holiday season should be joyous, the truth is, this time of year can be challenging for many, especially for those who have lost significant others, are separated from family or have seasonal recurrences of low mood, something we refer to as Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD).
Is that really a thing? Yes, Virginia, it is a thing, and if you’re an eight-year old girl living in New York writing to The Sun in 1897, then your risk for SAD is particularly high. Those suffering from recurrent depression with a seasonal pattern can be nine times more likely to have this if living in New England or Alaska than in
Florida! Younger persons are more at risk
than adults, and females are four times as likely to meet criteria for the disorder than males.
So, now you’re wondering, “When is any of this a problem, and do I need to do anything about it?” Excellent question!
Any of us may exhibit not-so-pleasant symptoms or behaviors from time-to-time that don’t amount to much or have little impact on our functioning--for example, how we interact with others, take care of ourselves or address the business of our day. The time to talk to your doctor, or seek expertise from a psychiatrist, is when you’re experiencing symptoms, more days than not, for at least two weeks, and aren’t able to alter how you’re feeling, regardless of how hard you try. (continued)
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