Seasonal Depression is Real

Question

Seasonal depression, also known as "seasonal affective disorder" is "a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons - SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year", according to the Mayo Clinic. These symptoms normally start towards the end of fall and end towards the end of winter or beginning of spring.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

Answer 1

Yes, the seasonal depression is a real condition that affects some people during the autumn and winter months when there is less exposure to sunlight. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) induce symptoms such as persistent low mood, loss of interest in daily activities, feelings of despair and worthlessness, lethargy, and changes in appetite and weight. The cause of SAD is not fully understood but it is thought to be related to reduced sunlight exposure and disruption of hormones that affect mood, such as melatonin and serotonin. Treatment options for SAD, include lifestyle change and light therapy. All in all, SAD is the diagnosis of seasonal depression and can affect a person's mental health.

Link: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/#:~:text=Seasonal%20affective%20disorder%20(SAD)%20is,feel%20better%20during%20the%20winter.

Answer 2

This is true, and it is called Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to Mayo Clinic,  "Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months." 

This is a real disorder that affects lots of people all over the world, and the Mayo Clinic is a trustworthy source when it comes to talking about disorders. 

Answer 3

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), otherwise known as "seasonal depression," is real. The symptoms may start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer. 

They state that millions of adults may suffer from SAD and it occurs much more often in women than in men. It is also more common in those living farther north, where there are shorter daylight hours in the winter. 

Their research shows that people with SAD may have reduced activity of serotonin, which helps regulate mood. It also suggests that sunlight controls the levels of molecules that help maintain normal serotonin levels. However, in people with SAD, this regulation does not function properly, resulting in decreased serotonin levels in the winter.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder 

Answer 4

Seasonal depression otherwise known as Seasonal Affective Disorder affects about 10 million Americans. This disorder usually occurs during the winter time when natural sunlight is hard to come by. However, SAD can occur during any season. SAD most commonly occurs in young women, young adults, and those who live in cooler climates. One of the best treatments for SAD is light therapy.

https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2018/03/is-seasonal-depression-a-real-thing/

Answer 5

Seasonal depression is real and it even has a name: seasonal affective disorder. Mayo Clinic states SAD "is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons". This can be the reason many people feel moody and/or sad during fall and winter months. There seems to be benefits in light therapy to mediate the effects of SAD. 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651 

Answer 6

Absolutely true! It is even recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5). There is a couple criterion for being diagnosed with SAD, but the most relevant one is "Full remissions (or change from major depression to mania or hypomania or vice versa) also occur at a characteristic time of the year (e.g.- depression disappears in the spring)." While the cause of SAD is relatively unknown, but according to the American Psychology Association, "SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter. As seasons change, people experience a shift in their biological internal clock or circadian rhythm that can cause them to be out of step with their daily schedule." One thing that can help people is light therapy, where a person puts a white light within five feet of where they are sitting. The light acts as a form of sun replacement. There is also a newer medication under the atypical antidepressant category called Bupropion (or Wellbutrin) which is commonly prescribed at the start of the season changing for a person diagnosed with SAD. Bupropion is still being heavily studied, however. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - PsychDB

Psychiatry.org - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)