Fall and winter, average return of seasonal affective disorder

The weather may still be relatively pleasant, but "this time of year" is almost here.

The days are shorter. The weather will get worse. You will see less sun. For some, autumn and winter are just troubles. For others, fall and winter mean the return of seasonal affective disorder, or what many people call the SAD acronym.

The CAS is estimated to affect about 5% of the US population, but Jonnie Hyde, Clinical Services Manager for the Columbia River Mental Health Services, said the rate was probably higher for people in the Pacific Northwest. where days are even shorter in the fall. in the winter, and there is less sun during the day because of the rain.

Hyde said the Portland area receives sunlight only 29% of the time in winter. And if you go through the rankings of the most depressing winters in the United States, Vancouver and Portland usually land up to the top.

"As the days get shorter and darker, people may end up sleeping, want to eat carbohydrate foods, gain weight, feel tired and run out of food." energy, "said Hyde about symptoms of seasonal depression.

The CAS may also include more serious symptoms, such as depression, and affects women four times more than men, although Ms. Hyde said she does not know why this disparity exists. According to Dr. Hyde, the difference between CAS depression and more general depression is the recurrence of these symptoms at the same time of the year. She said that a small number of people can experience SAT in the spring and summer.

"Generally, they will experience from year to year," said Hyde. "If it happens in autumn and winter and goes in the winter and does so many times, then it's probably SAD."

SAD occurs because the decrease in sunlight causes two things: a drop in levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that positively affects mood, and an increase in melatonin, a hormone that affects sleep and sleep. 39; mood. It's more secreted because it's dark longer.

Hyde explained that full spectrum light therapy is one of the best ways to treat SAR. Full spectrum lights can be purchased online.

"You're producing artificial sunlight, by and large, and it's helping to reset your body chemistry, which is affected by SAR," she said. "It's a chemical reaction of your body and a neurotransmitter reaction to a lack of sunlight."

Most people will benefit from light therapy, but for some, medications and advice may be needed. You can contact the Columbia River Mental Health Services at 360-993-3000 or [email protected] or visit the website to make an appointment at crmhs.org/request-services.