The end of daylight saving time this weekend and the resulting shorter days and reduced sunlight can increase the risk of what’s known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. “It’s very similar to regular depression where folks are feeling depressed and down, losing interest in the things they normally like to do and you just feel like going to do those things anymore, says Dr. Dave Miers, Senior Mental Health Director for Bryan Health.
“It’s often caused in changes in our circadian rhythm,” Miers says. “And what that means is that’s your internal clock that runs our sleep, our mood, and our appetite. So, whenever there’s a shift in the season, our bodies then struggle to adjust to that new light in the new timeframes.”
Miers says that while triggered at regular intervals, seasonal affective disorder is like most other kinds of depression. “You see people withdrawing, you see lack of motivation, you feel like you’re struggling to concentrate, changes in your sleep and eating habits. Those are all kind of the normal symptoms that you see when it comes to major depressive disorder in a seasonal pattern.
The arrival of Thanksgiving and Christmas, which conjure images of family and joy, can also exacerbate feelings of depression in those already vulnerable to the condition. Seasonal affective disorder requires a screening for formal diagnosis, which Bryan Medical offers for free in confidence.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Hotline.