Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that appears seasonally.
The episodes of depression tend to occur at the same time each year during the winter.
Symptoms can begin to appear in Autumn and usually disappear by the Spring.
Symptoms
The symptoms of SAD are similar and should be treated the same as other types of depression.
The most common symptoms are:-
- Low mood
- Loss of pleasure and interest in normal activities
- Feeling irritable
- Feelings of despair
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- Low self-esteem
- Tearfulness
- Feeling stressed or anxious
- Reduced sex drive
- Feeling tired or needing more sleep than normal
- Struggling to concentrate
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your GP as soon as possible.
Treatments
SAD can usually be successfully treated using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Antidepressants, or Light Therapy.
CBT is a common treatment for a variety of mental health conditions and helps teach coping skills. It focuses on thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that affect the person’s feelings of actions.
Light Therapy can improve the mood of some sufferers of SAD. It involves sitting by a special light box designed to replace the missing sunlight. It’s important to discuss this with your GP before proceeding as Light Therapy is not suitable for everyone and you will need to be advised on the level of intensity to set the light at, and how long and often to use it for.
Your GP or Mental Health Nurse will recommend a suitable treatment or combination of treatments for you, based on your own circumstances.
Causes
The definitive cause for Seasonal Affective Disorder is unknown.
However, it is speculated to be linked to the shorter days of the year during the winter months when there is less sunlight.
Sunlight can affect the body’s hormones and it’s thought that it can stimulate the part of the brain which controls mood, sleep, and appetite, all of which can affect how you feel.
Therefore, a lack of sunlight may directly impact your mood in a negative way.
Depression and Debt
Depression and debt are intricately linked.
Those who have found themselves in debt can find that the burden weighs heavily on them.
They can face a lack of motivation, increased anxiety and a consistent feeling of low mood.
These symptoms can also develop into depression.
Furthermore, those suffering from SAD may find that they do not have the energy or motivation to keep track of their money.
They may also struggle to keep up with minimum credit repayments due to time off work to combat their mental health problems.
The dangerous cycle continues as the further into debt they find themselves, the worse their mental health condition may get.
Seeking Debt Advice
If you’re ready to do something about your debts, there are a variety of solutions available in Scotland.
Our experienced debt advisers are on hand to give friendly and non-judgemental advice, tailored to you and your own individual circumstances. We’re never here to judge you. 89% of our customers told us that their mental health improved as a result of entering into a formal debt solution in a 2023 survey.
Learn more about some of the Scottish debt solutions that we offer by speaking to an adviser today. Call 0141 221 0999, fill out our Trust Deed Wizard, or enquire through WhatsApp if that would make you feel more comfortable.