The IAA One Minute Blog

As cold weather is quickly settling in, some people may be starting to feel the winter blues.  For some, it could be more than just the change in the weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) is a type of depression that occurs at a certain time of year, usually in the winter.

Symptoms of S.A.D

Symptoms of S.A.D usually build up slowly in the late autumn and winter months. Symptoms of S.A.D are:

• Heavy leaden feeling in the arms and legs
• Hopelessness
• Increased appetite (especially a craving for carbohydrates) with weight gain
• Increased sleep
• Less energy and ability to concentrate
• Loss of interest in work or other activities
• Sluggish movements
• Social withdrawal
• Unhappiness and irritability

As with other types of depression, antidepressant medicines and talk therapy can be effective. There is another form of therapy, called light therapy that may be able to reduce symptoms as well. Light therapy involves the use of light boxes. Light boxes use fluorescent lights that are brighter than indoor lights, but not as bright as sunlight.  There are two types of light therapy:

• Bright light treatment: For this treatment you place a light box at a certain distance from you at a desk or table and sit.
• Dawn simulation: For this treatment, a dim light goes on in the morning while you sleep and it gets brighter over time, like a sunrise.

Getting more sunlight may help too, so try to go outside to exercise when the sun is shining. Be active during the daytime, especially early in the day, as it may help you to have more energy.

Causes of S.A.D

The specific cause of S.A.D remains unknown. Some factors that may contribute to S.A.D are:

• Melatonin levels: The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.
• Serotonin levels:  Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin (a brain chemical that affects mood) that may trigger depression.
• Your biological clock (circadian rhythm): The decrease in sunlight during the winter may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.

Some risk factors of S.A.D are:

• Age: Young people have a higher risk of S.A.D.
• Being female: S.A.D is diagnosed more often in women than in men.
• Family history: People with S.A.D may be more likely to have blood relatives with S.A.D or another form of depression.
• Living far from the equator: S.A.D appears to be more common among people who live far north or south of the equator. This may be due to decreased sunlight during the winter days and longer days during the summer months.

It can be hard to tell the difference between S.A.D and other types of depression, which is why it is important to check in with your doctor and get a proper diagnosis.

Summer S.A.D

A minority of people have disruptive seasonal mood swings that go beyond feeling uncomfortable on hot summer days.

Those with summer S.A.D (about 0.7 percent of the population) become depressed between May and September. Those with summer S.A.D experience symptoms of insomnia, decreased appetite, agitation, and weight loss.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America knows that sometimes winter can bring people down. Just make sure that it is not affecting your daily life. IAA wants you to remain your cheery self all year long, so don’t let winter get you down! Remember, with IAA one call does it all.

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