Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that occurs only during specific times of the year, usually during fall and winter. While it shares similar symptoms with other types of depression, seasonal depression is unique in that it is triggered by changes in the seasons.

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that usually begins in the late fall or early winter and goes away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Like other forms of depression, it is marked by low mood, fatigue, and changes to eating or sleeping patterns. However, these symptoms improve or disappear during specific times of year, while other forms of depression can last for longer periods of time and aren’t linked to seasonal changes.

While seasonal depression is most commonly experienced during the fall and winter months, it can also occur in the spring and summer. This type of SAD is less common but still affects a significant number of people.

Signs & Symptoms of Seasonal Depression

People with seasonal depression may experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and irritability during the winter months. They may also have difficulty sleeping and feel tired all the time, even after a full night’s rest. These symptoms can affect someone’s daily activities and relationships, causing them to withdraw from social interactions.

The symptoms of seasonal depression can vary from person to person, but some common signs to look out for include:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in appetite and weight (typically increased appetite and weight gain)
• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• Low energy levels and fatigue
• Feeling agitated or irritable
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Withdrawal from social interactions and activities

Fall & Winter SAD

Winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, can include:

• Sleeping more than usual
• Appetite changes, often involving craving more carb-heavy foods
• Weight gain
• Fatigue and low energy

Spring & Summer SAD

Summer-onset SAD may involve:

• Insomnia or trouble staying asleep
• Lack of appetite & subsequent weight loss
• Higher levels of anxiety, agitation, or irritability

Causes & Risk Factors for Seasonal Affective Disorder

The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but it is commonly linked to the decrease in sunlight during the fall and winter months. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock and result in low mood and irritability. Another theory is that the change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood. Similarly, it could be caused by an imbalance of serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood.

Someone is more likely to occur in people who:

• Have a family history of depression
• Already have a diagnosis of depression, such as MDD or PDD
• Live farther away from the equator, leading to less sunlight in the winter months
• Have lower levels of vitamin D

Treatment Options for Seasonal Depression

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available for depression. Typically, the first-line treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), often paired with medication to boost mood.

Depending on the severity of symptoms and individual needs, treatment for seasonal depression may include:

• Therapy: Talk therapy can help people with seasonal depression learn healthy coping skills and manage symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be particularly effective in treating SAD.
• Medication: Antidepressant medications may be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms of seasonal depression. It’s important to work with a healthcare provider to find the right medication and dosage for your specific needs.
• Light therapy: A special light box mimics natural sunlight, which can help balance brain chemicals linked to mood for those with fall-winter SAD.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy : This non-invasive, drug-free treatment targets brains areas that are underactive due to depression.
• Spravato®: The first FDA approved esketamine nasal spray for hard-to-treat depression, Spravato® works quickly to boost brain activity, alleviating symptoms of depression.

How Treatment Helps Break the Cycle of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Working with a supportive mental health team can ensure you’re prepared for the changing of the seasons. A psychiatric provider may have you go on medication in the winter then stop in the summer when symptoms alleviate. A therapist can make sure you’ve built up appropriate coping skills and can help you feel supported through your tougher seasons.

If deemed appropriate, your psychiatric provider might also recommend TMS or Spravato® as part of your winter time treatment plan, helping you avoid the dread that the changing season might bring and breaking the SAD cycle before it can get worse.

Coping With Seasonal Affective Disorder

While dealing with any type of depression is difficult, with the proper treatments and lifestyle changes it’s possible to start feeling better.

Here are some ways to cope with seasonal depression symptoms:

• Make your environment sunnier: Open your blinds, trim any tree branches that are blocking sunlight, and try to spend more of your time closer to bright windows during the daylight hours.
• Spend time outside: Even if it’s cold, getting a few minutes of time outdoors can still boost your mood and expose you to some extra daylight.
• Move your body regularly: Physical activity can relieve stress and boost mood.
• Set a regular sleep schedule: Try not to nap or oversleep during the day, instead sticking to a strict routine.
• Nourish your body: Prioritizing vitamin-rich vegetables and limiting or eliminating alcohol and other substances can help stabilize mood.
• Be patient: It’s likely that, even with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, it will take time to feel better. Stick with it even if you don’t see immediate changes.

Get Started with Northeast Health Services Today

It can feel difficult to reach out for help when you’re depressed, but know you’re not alone. Our supportive care teams can help you cope and start to feel better. Call 508.794.8711 or schedule your first appointment to learn more about our depression treatment options in Massachusetts.