Learn about the causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder within New Zealand.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression associated to changes in the seasons (often worse in the winter). Symptoms of SAD include mood swings, anxiety, withdrawal, disturbed sleep, lack of energy and loss of sex drive. Seasonal affective disorder is attributed to lack of daylight that prevents chemical production by the hypothalamus part of the brain. SAD sufferers have lower levels melatonin and serotonin chemicals that help regulate sleep, mood and appetite.
Causes of seasonal affective disorder
SAD is linked to a lack of exposure to sunlight during the shorter
winter days. Although seasonal affective disorder has no clear cause,
there are significant factors which trigger the condition.
Part
of the brain called the 'hypothalamus' helps to control mood, appetite
and sleep and is thought to be stimulated by light. For somebody with
SAD, a lack of light prevents the hypothalamus from functioning
correctly leading to low mood, sleeping difficulty and a loss of
appetite.
Certain chemicals and hormones can also trigger SAD.
Melatonin, the hormone which regulates sleep, is produced by the pineal
gland. When there is less light, the body produces melatonin to help
with sleep. When there is more light, the pineal gland produces less
melatonin to wake the body up. Somebody with SAD produces higher levels
of melatonin during the winter.
A chemical called 'serotonin'
regulates mood, appetite and sleep and someone with SAD typically has
lower levels of serotonin during the winter. When sunlight is reduced,
less serotonin is produced.
Another factor which can trigger
seasonal affective disorder is a psychological process known as the
'circadian rhythm'. The body has an internal clock which regulates when
to sleep and when to wake up. Reduced sunlight can disturb the
circadian rhythm leading to a disruption that is linked to feeling
depressed.
Some experts have conducted research which has
suggested that SAD may be a genetic disorder and if a close family
member has the condition the chances of inheriting it are one in seven.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) appears at the same time each year
(usually the autumn) and then goes away as sunlight increases (usually
around spring). Symptoms usually start as being mild and gradually
worsen as sunlight decreases into the winter months.
Common symptoms of SAD include:
There is no conclusive test to diagnose SAD but in the first instance
you should visit your GP. The GP will perform a physical examination to
rule out any underlying health problems which may be causing your
symptoms.
The GP will then carry out a psychological assessment
and ask questions about your mood, diet, sleeping patterns and changes
to thoughts and behaviour during the seasons.
The symptoms of
SAD are similar to other mental health conditions such as depression
and it may take the GP a while to identify if the symptoms are
triggered by a regular seasonal pattern. A diagnosis will depend on
whether you have experienced symptoms for two consecutive years or more
and if periods of low mood are followed by periods of feeling balanced.
Associated
symptoms of depression include weight loss, loss of appetite and
difficulty sleeping whereas SAD symptoms tend to be weight gain and
excessive sleeping.
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk