These symptoms could be due to any number of medical conditions including one which is often overlooked as a cause: SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, sometimes known as ‘winter depression’ because the symptoms are more apparent and tend to be more severe at this time of the year.
The majority of people feel uplifted by long sunny days and it’s quite normal to feel a little miserable when the weather is cold and the days are dark, but some people experience a debilitating form of depression, along with a number of other unpleasant symptoms which seriously affect their quality of life.
The exact cause of SAD isn't fully understood, but it's believed to be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter days of the year and is, therefore, more common among people who live in parts of the world where there are significant changes to daylight, temperature and weather between seasons.
Who is affected by SAD?
SAD affects adults and children and, in northern Europe, it’s estimated that as many as one in ten people experience some symptoms of SAD.
It’s very rare to find people with symptoms of SAD living near the equator or in areas where daylight hours are long and bright all year round.
Studies have shown that sunlight can affect some of the brain's chemicals and hormones, but no one is certain what this effect is. One theory is that light stimulates a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which controls mood, appetite and sleep, subsequently affecting how you feel.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Here’s a more comprehensive, although not exhaustive, list of the common signs of SAD:
lack of energy
concentration problems
sleep problems
depression
general apathy
anxiety
panic attacks
mood changes
overeating
prone to illness
loss of interest in sex or physical contact
social and relationship problems
alcohol or drug abuse
cheerfulness (hypomania) in spring and autumn
Or expressed another way, here is a light-hearted look at a not-so-light-hearted problem.
Of course, having some or all of the above symptoms doesn’t mean you are suffering from SAD and you should consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. But if you experience SAD symptoms for two or three years and no other underlying illness is detected, you are likely to receive a diagnosis of SAD.
There are a number of ways to treat SAD, including light therapy (also called phototherapy) – exposure to bright artificial light. There are ways that you can help yourself too:
find time each day to spend time outdoors
work in bright conditions, such as near a window
take regular, moderate exercise or physical activity
eat a well-balanced diet
decorate your home in light colours, which reflect the light better
try to take a holiday in a sunny place
Make a permanent move to a brighter climate
Solutions to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Meravista.com has a suggestion which may help: move to the Algarve, where you’ll enjoy 10 hours of daylight each day during the autumn and winter months and up to 15 hours a day during the spring and summer, adding up to over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year.
If you think you or a member of your family may be a sufferer, we advise you to consult a medical professional. For more information about SAD, you can visit SADA, a UK support organisation for people with SAD.
SAD? Not in the Algarve
by Almonds and Oranges
The majority of people feel uplifted by long sunny days and it’s quite normal to feel a little miserable when the weather is cold and the days are dark, but some people experience a debilitating form of depression, along with a number of other unpleasant symptoms which seriously affect their quality of life.
The exact cause of SAD isn't fully understood, but it's believed to be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter days of the year and is, therefore, more common among people who live in parts of the world where there are significant changes to daylight, temperature and weather between seasons.
Who is affected by SAD?
SAD affects adults and children and, in northern Europe, it’s estimated that as many as one in ten people experience some symptoms of SAD.
It’s very rare to find people with symptoms of SAD living near the equator or in areas where daylight hours are long and bright all year round.
Studies have shown that sunlight can affect some of the brain's chemicals and hormones, but no one is certain what this effect is. One theory is that light stimulates a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which controls mood, appetite and sleep, subsequently affecting how you feel.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Here’s a more comprehensive, although not exhaustive, list of the common signs of SAD:
Or expressed another way, here is a light-hearted look at a not-so-light-hearted problem.
Of course, having some or all of the above symptoms doesn’t mean you are suffering from SAD and you should consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. But if you experience SAD symptoms for two or three years and no other underlying illness is detected, you are likely to receive a diagnosis of SAD.
There are a number of ways to treat SAD, including light therapy (also called phototherapy) – exposure to bright artificial light. There are ways that you can help yourself too:
Solutions to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Meravista.com has a suggestion which may help: move to the Algarve, where you’ll enjoy 10 hours of daylight each day during the autumn and winter months and up to 15 hours a day during the spring and summer, adding up to over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year.
There is plenty of information about moving to, and living in, the Algarve.
If you think you or a member of your family may be a sufferer, we advise you to consult a medical professional. For more information about SAD, you can visit SADA, a UK support organisation for people with SAD.
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