Seasonal depression is related to the change of seasons

Question

This claim is correct based on what the Mayo Clinic stated about how "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." This article explains the symptoms of SAD and how it is a very common disorder. This claim is not misinformation and is backed up by the credible source of the Mayo Clinic. 

Answer 1

This claim is true. 

According to John Hopkins Medicine, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is caused by, "Less sunlight and shorter days are thought to be linked to a chemical change in the brain" continuing on to say how the sleep-related hormone, "Melatonin," is associated with SAD. Season changes also correlate with how much sunlight we receive during certain parts of the year. John Hopkins continues to say, "The body naturally makes more melatonin when it's dark. So, when the days are shorter and darker, more melatonin is made." The website then lists symptoms of SAD, one of which is sleep deprivation and sleeping too much. Sleep is correlated with depression.

John Hopkins Medicine

According to the article from The National Library of Medicine, sleep deprivation directly relates to the onset symptoms of depression. Therefore, the changing of seasons affects sleep, with may directly result in depression. 

The National Library of Medicine

Cleveland Clinic mentions how the season changes may cause a chemical imbalance in the brain saying, "Since sunlight helps regulate serotonin, a lack of sunlight in the winter can make the situation worse. Serotonin levels can fall further, leading to depression." This imbalance is more prevalent during the winter times when the days are shorter than they are in the warmer times of the year. 

Cleveland Clinic

All these credible sources give factual information on the correlation between seasonal depression and the change of seasons. Therefore I would say this claim is true. 

Comments

Nice work digging deeper and finding multiple reputable sources and including their relevant information and data within your explanation.

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I think you did a great job utilizing multiple sources of data. I also liked how you separated the sources you used and referenced the information you pulled from each source. Good job!

Answer 2

According to UThealth, Seasonal depression is a type of major depressive disorder. Signs of winter /fall seasonal depression include signs like oversleeping, weight gain, tiredness, and appetite changes. "It’s common for people to say they have the “winter blues” or that they are depressed in the colder, darker months of the year. These comments are sometimes benign, but they may also indicate that this person is suffering from seasonal depression. With the turn of the season, when everything is blooming and the sun is shining, it may be easy to forget about these shifts in mood, but if these episodes happen every year, it’s important to know that there is help available." 

https://uthealtheasttexas.com/news/depression-and-its-link-seasonal-changes 

Answer 3

According to the American Psychiatric 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. SAD is more common in people living far from the equator where there are fewer daylight hours in the winter." 

The National Institute of Mental Health describes it as, "A separate disorder but is a type of depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months per year. Therefore, the signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with major depression, and some specific symptoms that differ for winter-pattern and summer-pattern SAD."

Both of these descriptions confirm that seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that coincides with seasonal changes. Therefore I would say that this claim is true.

National Institute of Mental Health Source:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder#part_6695

American Psychiatric Association Source:

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder

Answer 4

This is true. Source from Medline Plus (https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/seasonal-affective-disorder/)

While researching Seasonal Depression, I came across this credible Health source for information: MedlinePlus, an online information service published by the United States National Library of Medicine. This website gathers public healthcare information.

Seasonal affective disorder is a mental health condition that is triggered by the changing of the seasons. 

The signs and symptoms that occur during depressive episodes in people with seasonal affective disorder are similar to those of major depressive disorder, including a loss of interest or enjoyment in activities, a decrease in energy, a depressed mood, and low self-esteem. In most people with seasonal affective disorder, depression and other features appear in the fall and winter months and subside in the spring and summer months. (“Seasonal Affective Disorder: Medlineplus Genetics.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/seasonal-affective-disorder/)

Answer 5

Yes, this is true. According to Cleveland Clinic ( https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression) states that SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is a type of depression. SAD is provoked when the seasons begin to change, mostly in late fall. Symptoms of SAD may include feeling sad, low energy, anxiety, trouble concentrating, feeling agitated, low interest or no interest in typical activities, oversleeping, gaining weight, etc. Everyone's experience varies obviously but there are common symptoms. The website also states that SAD affects women more than it does men and that 5% of all adults in the U.S. experience it. Some things that actually cause SAD include brain chemical imbalances, vitamin D deficiency, and overproduction of melatonin.

Answer 6

Seasonal Affective Disorder is caused by chemical changes in the brain caused by shorter daytime and longer nights. Additionally, melatonin, the hormone, has been linked to the disorder. More melatonin is made when it is darker outside so during late fall and winter, more melatonin is made.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-affective-disorder

Comments

Good work putting together a brief explanation. In the future, you could also bolster your fact-check by adding pertinent information from your source link. For example: "According to Johns Hopkins University, seasonal affective disorder..."

Answer 7

Seasonal depression is also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to the American Psychiatric association, SAD is major depressive disorder that occurs during the fall and winter months. This type of depression "has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter" (American Psychiatric Association). So due to the change in weather that leads to less sunlight, some people are negatively affected by this and experience depression. 

Comments

Don't forget to include source hyperlinks next time.

Answer 8

Seasonal Depression Disorder is something most of us may actually feel on some level. However, for some people, it is much worse and can last long periods of time. It affects mood, motivation, sleep, and day-to-day activities but it brings along depression and anxiety, both of which many people already deal with. Therefore, you can see what an effect this has on people who already suffer with their mental health. 

According to the American Psychiatric Association, "SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter." However, some people experience SAD during the spring and summer months. Therefore, changes in seasons do in fact have an association with SAD and it unfortunately affects nearly 5% of adults in the United States. 

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder#:~:text=About%205%20percent%20of%20adults,and%20less%20sunlight%20in%20winter. 

Answer 9

This claim is true. The Mayo Clinic says that seasonal depression is related to changes in the season. They also mention that people with bipolar disorder are at higher risk of developing seasonal affective disorder. "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."

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

Answer 10

This is true. According to the Mayo Clinic SAD stands for seasonal affective disorder. It is most common starting in the fall and going through winter and usually resolves more in the spring and summer. There are many symptoms and you can see a doctor. "Treatment for SAD may include light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications."

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651#:~:text=Seasonal%20affective%20disorder%20(SAD)%20is,and%20making%20you%20feel%20moody.

Comments

Thanks for the answer and research. How do you rate this claim?

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Mayo Clinic has already been used in a fact-check for this claim, so going forward, try to dig deeper and find other reputable sources. Here are two that I found quite easily:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/shining-a-light-on-winter-depression
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/