Seasonal affective disorder more than just the 'winter blues'
by Ivy Farguheson, KSL.com · KSL.comEstimated read time: 3-4 minutes
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Seasonal affective disorder affects 5% of Americans and Utahns, requiring treatment.
- Misunderstood as "winter blues," seasonal affective disorder can lead to severe consequences such as suicidal thoughts if untreated.
- Support groups and treatments like antidepressants and light therapy can help manage symptoms.
SALT LAKE CITY — Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that affects 5% of the American and Utah population. If left untreated, SAD can have serious and severe consequences, according to local doctors, therapists and organizers of area support groups.
Sleeping — or not sleeping — more or less than normal, losing interest in things that used to bring joy, increased fatigue, loss of appetite, persistent sadness and other symptoms of depression — SAD is a form of depression — demonstrates the need for medical treatment and/or therapy.
Often confused by loved ones as the "winter blues," SAD typically displays early symptoms in the fall, such as resisting time out with friends or sleeping in a little more than normal, but can become progressively more debilitating if left untreated.
"This can proceed to feeling hopeless, helpless and eventually suicidal," said Dr. Jason Hunziker, a University of Utah Health psychiatrist. "You notice when you see a pattern of symptoms that come once the days get shorter and days become darker ... and people in Utah will have a higher risk of seasonal affective disorder than the people in Florida due to the shorter days and the lack of sunshine."
The most common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder:
- Increased sleep and daytime drowsiness.
- Loss of interest and pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed.
- Social withdrawal and increased sensitivity to rejection.
- Grouchiness and anxiety.
- Feelings of guilt and hopelessness.
- Excessive tiredness (fatigue).
Information from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
In recent years, local mental health professionals have noticed a double-edged sword forming when it comes to various disorders: On one side, there is a greater awareness of mental health struggles and a desire to learn more about them. On the other side, there is a more flippant use of disorder labels — touching something a couple of times and saying, "That's my OCD," or experiencing a mood swing and stating, "I'm so bipolar" — that can lead to a misunderstanding of what these labels truly mean. There can also be a desire to diagnose friends and family.
This practice is what is believed to have led to some viewing SAD as the "winter blues." Along with a misunderstanding of what SAD — also known as seasonal depression —is, mental health professionals nationally and locally also state a general confusion about how serious SAD can be.
As such, those diagnosed with SAD by a medical professional may feel alone regarding their feelings and thoughts about the disorder. Peer support groups can make a difference.
Utah's chapter of the National Alliance of Mental Illness provides peer support for anyone diagnosed with any mental illness — seasonal affective disorder included. A group setting allows attendees to learn more about their illnesses from each other and allows everyone to learn how to ease symptoms and deal with loved ones.
Support groups are on a video-conferencing platform, allowing people to join from the comfort of their bedrooms or other safe spaces. A remnant from the COVID-19 pandemic, these groups vary in size from four to 25, with a desire to keep the numbers lower to allow everyone to participate.
"Our evaluation data shows that the online groups are just as effective as in person," said Robin Holcomb, interim executive director of NAMI Utah. "One of the things most people say is, 'I'm not alone.' That can be a powerful moment when they realize this."
To learn more about NAMI-Utah and their support groups, visit https://namiut.org/
They also have a helpine, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 801-323-9900
Doctors note that treatment is available for seasonal affective disorder such as pharmaceutical antidepressants, and also remind everyone that physical activity can help ease symptoms.
Although not FDA-approved, Hunziker said lamps that provide exposure to 10,000 lux of light can also be helpful.
But nothing is as helpful as getting to a medical professional to help understand seasonal affective disorder and the importance of easing these symptoms, he said.
"It is very important to understand that the longer you struggle with symptoms, the more important it is to talk to someone who can do something about those symptoms," Hunziker said.
The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.
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Ivy Farguheson is a reporter for KSL.com. She has worked in journalism in Indiana, Wisconsin and Maryland.