What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that people experience during particular seasons or certain months of the year.

With SAD you will experience depression during some seasons due to the temperature or the weather. What most people don’t realise is that you can experience it in the summer as well as the winter.

What are the symptoms of SAD?

• Lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Not wanting to see people
• Being more prone to physical health problems, such as colds, infections or other
• illnesses
• Sleeping too much, or having difficulty waking up (common with SAD in winter)
• Sleeping too little, or waking up a lot (common with SAD in summer)
• Changes in your appetite, for example feeling hungrier or not wanting to eat
• Losing interest in sex or physical contact
• Suicidal feelings
• Other symptoms of depression

Other mental health problems can also get worse if you suffer from SAD

How can you help your service users if they suffer from SAD?

One of the most common treatments for SAD in the winter is light therapy, however, this may not be possible in a care organisation- there are other ways in which you can help your service users alleviate some of their symptoms.

Simple changes to the environment and day-to-day routines can make a big difference in coping with SAD. This can include:

• Daily walks outdoors with your service users
• Letting in as much light as possible
• Exercise regularly even if it is indoors or lightly
• Make sure they are eating a healthy diet as vitamin deficiencies are sometimes an underlying component
• Brighten up the indoor environment with plants or you can go for brighter colours on walls and decor
• Be sensitive when talking about the weather
• Ask them what helps and let them have a say
• Plan activities to help them be distracted and relax