Can Changing Your Diet Fix Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Unless you’re a fan of the cold, when the colder months roll around, you’re probably dreading the months ahead like the plague. We’re talking about shorter days with less sunlight. This causes many things to happen, like not allowing people to get enough natural vitamin D from sunlight (which is another reason you need to supplement with vitamin D). But it also has the potential to create Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.
When the colder months and weather hit, a lot of people tend to feel a shift in their mood. Some may call it the “winter blues.” What exactly does this mean?
Well, with the drop in temperature, many people start experiencing a severe mood shift that impacts their daily lives (and not in a good way). This is where the signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be felt.
In this article, we are going to take a deeper dive into the topic and talk in detail about what exactly SAD is and everything you need to know about it. Also, you may be able to take the nutrition tips from below to help reduce the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Related Article: Can Taking a Daily Walk Help Reduce Depression?
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
SAD, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern, is typically a type of depression related to seasonal changes. It often occurs during the fall and winter months when there is typically less sunlight and the temperatures drop.
Studies show that SAD affects 0.5-2% of people in the USA. It mostly affects young adults and women, most notably those who stay farther north of the equator.
There are two types of Seasonal Affective Disorder — Summer-pattern SAD and Winter-pattern SAD. Studies show that summer-pattern SAD occurs in around 10% of the cases.
Symptoms of SAD
You can start witnessing the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder in late fall or early winter, or the end of spring. Here are a few common symptoms of both patterns:
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Depression or sadness
- Feeling irritated
- Lack of energy
- Poor concentration
- Suicidal thoughts
- Change in appetite
- Feeling worthless
Moreover, winter-pattern SAD additionally includes overeating, weight gain, lack of interest in social activities, fatigue during the daytime, and more. And summer-pattern SAD may consist of restlessness, weight loss, violent actions, loss of appetite, and more.
What Are the Causes of SAD?
The factors as it relates to SAD may differ from person to person. However, below is the most common cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
What is the key component? Sunlight.
Sunlight is the biggest influencing factor. Decreased exposure to sunlight can affect hormones, sleep, and mood patterns. As per studies, people with SAD face difficulty in regulating their biological clock.
Related Article: You NEED the D: Why Should You Focus on Vitamin D?
Apart from that, abnormal levels of serotonin and melatonin can also disrupt the circadian rhythm. People with SAD have a high amount of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep.
Click here to continue reading…
*Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links or ads, which means we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. These commissions help support the operation and maintenance of our website, allowing us to continue producing free valuable content. Your support is genuinely appreciated, whether you choose to use our links or not. Thank you for being a part of our community and enjoying our content.
PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING THIS ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA TO HELP OTHERS LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC. SIMPLY CLICK BELOW!
