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Cabin Fever, aka Seasonal Affective Disorder or Winter Blues.
Like many people, you may experience cabin fever during the winter months. Or, you may tend to eat more and sleep more when the temperature drops. But, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) goes well beyond those symptoms. SAD is much more than the winter blahs. It's a type of depressive disorder.
If you have SAD, winter's short days and long nights may induce feelings of depression, lethargy, fatigue, cravings for sweets and starches, headaches and sleep problems. Exactly how many people have SAD isn't really known, but it's estimated that about 6 percent of Americans suffer from winter SAD, and another 10 percent to 20 percent may experience mild SAD symptoms. The disorder usually begins when you're a young adult. It's also more common in women than in men.
What causes SAD is unclear, but it may have to do with the amount of sunlight you receive. Although SAD can affect people anywhere, it becomes more common the farther north you live — perhaps because these areas of the planet experience decreased daylight for months at a time. In some people, however, recurring episodes of depression may occur in the summer rather than in the winter.
Although there's no cure for SAD, there are treatments to help you successfully manage the condition so that you can go through the seasons of the year in relative comfort.
Are you struggling with the following symptoms?
- depression with a fall or winter onset
- lack of energy
- decreased interest in work or significant activities
- increased appetite with weight gain
- carbohydrate cravings
- increased sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness
- social withdrawal
- afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
- slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Some people suffer from symptoms of depression during the winter months, with symptoms subsiding during the spring and summer months. This may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a mood disorder associated with depression episodes and related to seasonal variations of light.
SAD was first noted before 1845, but was not officially named until the early 1980’s. As sunlight has affected the seasonal activities of animals (i.e., reproductive cycles and hibernation), SAD may be an effect of this seasonal light variation in humans. As seasons change, there is a shift in our “biological internal clocks” or circadian rhythm, due partly to these changes in sunlight patterns. This can cause our biological clocks to be out of “step” with our daily schedules. The most difficult months for SAD sufferers are January and February, and younger persons and women are at higher risk.
Symptoms Include:
- regularly occurring symptoms of depression (excessive eating and sleeping, weight gain) during the fall or winter months
- full remission from depression occur in the spring and summer months.
- symptoms have occurred in the past two years, with no nonseasonal depression episodes
- seasonal episodes substantially outnumber nonseasonal depression episodes.
- a craving for sugary and/or starchy foods
Possible Cause of this Disorder
Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, has been linked to SAD. This hormone, which may cause symptoms of depression, is produced at increased levels in the dark. Therefore, when the days are shorter and darker the production of this hormone increases.
Throughout the centuries, poets have described a sense of sadness, loss and lethargy which can accompany the shortening days of fall and winter. Many cultures and religions have winter festivals associated with candles or fire. Many of us notice tiredness, a bit of weight gain, difficulty getting out of bed and bouts of "the blues" as fall turns to winter.
Light Bulbs Key to Winter Blues?
Looking at a lightbulb for just one minute can beat the winter blues, according to new research.
Staring at a lamp helped 85 per cent of Seasonal Affective Disorder sufferers, tests by the Brain Bio-Centre in London found.
They say the trick is to hold a 60 watt bulb at eye level, 10 feet away, for 60 seconds. Sufferers are also advised to focus on the after-image of the light until it goes.
Nutrition:
Careful inclusion of complex carbohydrates (fruits, grains, potatoes, etc.) can provide what is necessary to stimulate serotonin levels. Too much of good thing (note the symptom of craving carbohydrates) can lead to that often occurring winter weight gain.
Exercise:
There is strong anecdotal evidence and a general belief among health researchers that exercise improves mood and self-esteem for a number of reasons. Exercise when combined with outdoor exposure to sunlight can prove very beneficial to those suffering from SAD.
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All information on Potter County Pa Health & Wellness is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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