What is seasonal affective disorder?
Did you notice you always feel sad or depressed during the winter? You may have a case of the “winter blues,” also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD is a common condition that affects many people, especially those who live farther north because of the lack of sunlight. People who experience SAD during the spring and summer months (summer-pattern SAD or summer depression) are less common.¹
If you feel like your mood has changed because of the change in seasons, CenterWell Pharmacy® is here to help you find the support you need.
The causes of seasonal affective disorder
The specific cause of SAD is unknown.² However, it's linked to a chemical imbalance in the brain prompted by less sunlight in winter.³
Some causes may include:⁴
• Your internal clock—The lack of sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock.
• Serotonin levels—Serotonin is a chemical in your brain that affects your mood. Reduced sunlight can cause your serotonin levels to drop, which may trigger depression.
• Melatonin levels—Your body’s level of melatonin plays a role in your sleep patterns and mood. The change in season may affect your mood and how you sleep.
SAD is more common in people with major depressive or bipolar disorders, a family history of SAD and those who live farther north from the equator.⁵
Symptoms to watch for
People with SAD during the fall and winter may experience:⁶
- Oversleeping
- Overeating
- Weight gain
- Low energy
- Tiredness
People with SAD during the spring and summer may experience:⁷
- Trouble sleeping
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Agitation
- Anxiety
If you’re experiencing the symptoms above, a good person to speak with is your healthcare provider, especially if you start to feel down for days at a time.⁸
Treatments available for seasonal affective disorder
After speaking with your healthcare provider about your symptoms, they may recommend a treatment that falls into 4 categories, which may be used alone or in combination:⁹
• Light therapy: This therapy exposes you to bright light every day for about 30–45 minutes to make up for the lack of natural light.
• Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you learn how to handle difficult situations and replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Vitamin D: Taking a vitamin D supplement may help improve your symptoms—and the supplements are easy to find at your local pharmacy or our OTC store (if your Humana plan has an OTC benefit).
• Antidepressant medications: Because SAD is a form of depression, taking a type of medication called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram) or Zoloft (sertraline), can help enhance your mood.
How CenterWell Pharmacy can help
SAD is a serious condition, but help is available so you can start feeling better. First, speak with your healthcare provider to see if you may benefit from antidepressant medication. If your healthcare provider prescribes you a new medication, please check the Humana Drug List to see if it’s covered by your plan. If you have questions about your prescription, please call us at 800-379-0092 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Eastern time if you need help.
Sources:
- “Seasonal Affective Disorder,” National Institute of Mental Health, last accessed November 16, 2021, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder.
- “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD),” Mayo Clinic, last accessed November 16, 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651.
- “Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD),” American Psychiatric Association, last accessed November 23, 2021, https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder.
- “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”
- “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”
- “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”
- “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”
- “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”
- “Seasonal Affective Disorder.”
Disclaimer: This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your doctor to determine what is right for you
