By Denise Lodge
Photo by Carter Fontaineleau.
Today the sky is dark and grey, and the sun is not in sight. Darkness is often associated with gloom. When a day is described as “gloomy,” images of a colourless sky, a sunless day, or grey, looming clouds may come to mind. Conversely, a “nice” or “beautiful” day usually implies warmth and sunny skies. We all may associate moods and feelings with the weather, but its effects on those with seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.) are much stronger.
About S.A.D. Disorder
Fifteen per cent of Canadians may suffer from the “winter blues,” an experience of mood-change affected by changes in the weather; the “winter blues” cause discomfort, but are not incapacitating.
Conversely, S.A.D., a form of clinical depression triggered by the changing seasons, may affect the ability to cope with life. The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that one to three per cent of Canadians suffer from cases of S.A.D. The condition can be debilitating, affecting personal and professional lives. However, the Canadian Mental Health Association states that there is treatment to “help people with S.A.D. live a productive life year-round.”
The term “winter blues” and the association of seasonal depression with winter can be misleading. S.A.D. does not only affect people in the winter; some people have a rarer form of the condition that begins in late spring or early summer.
Potential Causes of S.A.D.
Photo by Glyn Nelson.
While there is no confirmed cause of S.A.D., it is thought to be related to seasonal variations not in temperature, but in light. Before electricity, humans were active and alert during daylight, and slept when it became dark. Despite the technological allowances of working and remaining active during the night, our bodies may be biologically wired to shorten our waking time as the days grow shorter. This biological wiring that sets a sleep/wake cycle is known as the circadian rhythm, which is connected to the brain’s serotonin system.
Serotonin, the chemical reduced in people who suffer from depression and anxiety, has been shown to be increasingly produced during long periods of bright light.
Symptoms of S.A.D.
S.A.D. can be difficult to diagnose, as many of the symptoms coincide with symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, symptoms usually recur for at least two consecutive winters.
Symptoms may include:
- Change in appetite, in particular a craving for sweet or starchy foods
- Weight gain
- Decreased energy
- Fatigue
- Tendency to oversleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Avoidance of social situations
- Feelings of anxiety and despair
Symptoms of summer depression may include:
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Trouble sleeping
Treatments for S.A.D.
Because the cause and mechanisms of S.A.D. are neither confirmed nor straightforward, treatment is also somewhat experimental. Researchers are beginning to understand in greater detail the connections between the underlying mechanisms and the symptoms of S.A.D., which will ultimately allow for better, more targeted treatment methods.
Different treatments target different brain systems; two that play a role in S.A.D. are the circadian rhythm and the serotonin system. Sometimes two different treatments will be applied to target each system.
Sunlight as a treatment for S.A.D.
Photo by Floato.
The Canadian Mental Health Association reports that S.A.D. is “more common in northern countries, where the winter day is shorter,” and that “people with S.A.D. find that spending time in a southerly location brings them relief from their symptoms.” However, if frequent trips closer to the equator do not fit into your schedule or budget, there are other ways of accessing maximum sunlight. Remember that UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows, and that skin protection is always appropriate.
To maximize sunlight exposure:
- Trim tree branches
- Keep curtains open during the day
- Move furniture to sit near a window
Diet Changes to Treat S.A.D.
Because decreased serotonin levels are considered a primary factor in S.A.D., try eating foods that contain tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin. One study published in Psychiatry Research reports that patients with S.A.D. had low levels of tryptophan. Another study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that the beneficial effects of light therapy were reversed by tryptophan depletion. Foods rich in tryptophan include turkey, milk, and egg whites.
Photo by Greg Mote.
Fruits such as apricots, apples, pears, grapes, plums, grapefruits, and oranges have been shown to gradually raise serotonin levels and help keep them raised.
Exercise to treat S.A.D.
Exercise relieves stress, builds energy, increases mental and physical well-being, and can help cope with the symptoms of S.A.D. Try building a walk into your noon-hour or your morning. Your neighbours may also be interested in walking, and you can walk in pairs or small groups. The exercise, increased exposure to natural light, and social interaction are strategies to combat S.A.D.
Light Therapy as a S.A.D. Treatment
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “many people with S.A.D. respond well to exposure to bright, artificial light.” Light therapy involves sitting near a light that simulates natural light for a certain period of time each day. Sessions usually extend between a half-hour to a few hours. The standard daily dose is thirty minutes of light at 10,000 lux, a measure of the intensity of light as perceived by the human eye.
As the light sits in front of the user, it is indirectly absorbed by the retina; light therapy does not appear to work by skin absorption, but by absorption into the eye-brain pathway, where it is believed to pass through serotonin receptors on its way to the part of the brain that acts as a clock. The effects of light therapy usually take only four to seven days. Like the sun, the light is not stared at directly. The light used in light therapy is not the same light found in tanning beds, so there is no risk of UV exposure.
Photo by Hammonton Photography.
Potential side effects of light therapy include nausea, hyperactivity, and eyestrain, so it is recommended that you consult a doctor about choosing light therapy. Moreover, the treatment may be covered by health insurance, in which case a prescription would be required.
Serotonin is not the only hormone that plays a role in S.A.D; the hormone melatonin has been considered a factor as well. Melatonin has been shown to decrease body temperature and increase drowsiness; in animals, melatonin regulates hibernation. Humans have more melatonin in their bloodstream during winter than during summer; it is speculated that light therapy halts melatonin production and thereby decreases symptoms of S.A.D., such as decreased energy and fatigue.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (C.B.T.), a type of psychotherapy that aims to replace negative or inaccurate thought patterns with more productive ones, is also an effective treatment for S.A.D., especially when paired with light therapy. One study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that the combination of light therapy and C.B.T. appeared to improve the long-term symptom severity, remission rates, and relapse rates of S.A.D.
Recommended Products to Treat S.A.D.
The Valkee, one exciting new type of light therapy, treats S.A.D. not through the eyes, but through the ears. Although more expensive than the previous treatments, the Valkee is the world’s first bright light headset; it channels bright light via the ear canal into the brain’s photosensitive areas to prevent and treat S.A.D. In two clinical trials performed at the University of Oulu, “92 per cent of the patients with [S.A.D.] achieved full remission [...] with a daily 8-12-minute dose,” reported professor Markku Timonen, MD, PhD, the lead investigator for the trials, at the 11th International Forum for Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Budapest.
The Canadian Mental Health Association recommends contacting your doctor if your sleep and appetite patterns change dramatically, or if you find yourself thinking about suicide. The association encourages that there is effective treatment for S.A.D., and that “even people with severe symptoms can get rapid relief once they begin treatment.”
