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Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder

1/3/2018

12 Comments

 
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"The most commonly reported SAD symptoms include significant fatigue, pervasively sad mood, loss of interest in activities, sleeping more than usual, craving and eating more starches and sweets, gaining at least 5 percent of body weight and difficulty concentrating. Most people experience SAD symptoms to a certain extent, especially at higher latitudes. These individuals who do not meet diagnostic criteria for depression during the fall/winter months, but who experience mild to moderate symptoms during fall or winter, are considered to have a milder form of this disorder also known as subsyndromal SAD or the 'winter blues.'” -APA.org
So seasonal affective disorder, caused by less available sunlight (days are shorter & there is greater cloud cover), has many, if not most or all, of the symptoms of depression. But with SAD, the symptoms occur in fall and winter and go away when full sunlight returns.

There are variations in when people begin to experience symptoms. For those with seasonal affective disorder, symptoms can begin as early as August (like they did for me) and for those who have a milder version like winter blues, symptoms may not begin not until January.

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Now, that you've read both yesterday's winter blues post & today's post about seasonal affective disorder, do you recognize your own winter experience in any of the descriptions presented?

I believe I have been at both ends of this spectrum, experiencing both winter blues and seasonal affective disorder. One thing that helped me is staying connected to people who understood what was happening. And way back in the late 80s, it was a relief just to know what was going on.

Here at this website, I offer my own experience & suggestions for everything that has been helpful for me. But I want to encourage anyone who has difficulty with winter to get clear about where you fall on the continuum and connect with those who know the differences.

Wishing you warmth, peace & love all winter long! Stay tuned as we begin to talk about how hygge can help.

Love, Jeanine

12 Comments
Lillian link
1/3/2018 09:34:30 am

I experience Bipolar Disorder and I know the Bipolar Depression is triggered more easily during the darker months and, untreated, the manic episodes are more likely to occur in the spring.

I’m sure this information can help a lot of people - both those who experience it and those with a loved one who does.

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Jeanine Byers link
1/3/2018 05:23:14 pm

Thanks, Lillian! I'm hoping it will, too. You know, I read a bit about light therapy (which I will talk about in the next couple of days) for bipolar disorder when I was researching the information for these posts & my book. Apparently, people with bipolar disorder sometimes use light therapy, too, but it may be better for them to use it later in the day than people do who have SAD. If you're interested, you might want to Google "bipolar disorder" & "light therapy" to learn more.

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Stella Scott link
1/3/2018 12:18:23 pm

I was diagnosed SAD long time ago. Good thing to know as I could adjust my life without judging myself. When I can I go abroad for a while to a lighter climate the differens is instant! :-)

Greetings from Malmö & UBC!

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Jeanine Byers link
1/3/2018 05:26:02 pm

Hi, Stella! Thanks!! Absolutely no judgment here. You know, i had an experience like that once. It wasn't abroad. It was only San Diego. But it was warm and sunny there but cold and rainy in Virginia where I had come from, and just sitting on a big rock on the beach for 3 hours changed everything. Unfortunately, the transformation was gone in an instant when I got back home.

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Jean
1/3/2018 01:25:06 pm

I get a mild form of this in the winter...and cabin fever when it rains for days at a time.

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Jeanine Byers link
1/3/2018 05:27:45 pm

Hi Jean! I'm glad it is only mild for you. In the next few days, I will talk about using hygge to help winter blues and SAD, and you might still get some good ideas. Boy, do I know what you mean about several days of rain!

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Vidya Tiru link
1/3/2018 02:36:49 pm

very informative.. while I don't believe I have the symptoms, I am sure the suggestions will always help for those few days when anyone feels the blues

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Jeanine Byers link
1/3/2018 05:29:24 pm

Thanks, Vidya! Hey, I bet you're right. The upcoming days, with suggestions about how to use hygge, could help anyone, even if it was only on the occasional days of having the blues. Great point!

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Martha link
1/3/2018 07:08:18 pm

Very helpful information for those that aren't sure why they have the feelings they do. PS As I'm sitting here in SC, watching it snow, your fireplace sure looks inviting!

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Jeanine Byers link
1/3/2018 11:19:25 pm

Thanks, Martha!! And I love that fireplace, too. :)

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Paul Taubman link
1/3/2018 11:01:47 pm

I know that the shorter days in the winter along with the time change we experience when we move the clocks ahead REALLY throws me off and I do get more tired during the winter. I try to be more active... and sometimes it is tough and rough!

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
1/3/2018 11:23:48 pm

Hi Paul! I know what you mean. And you know, when I look back on past winters, the ones that were the best were ones when I exercised a lot. Is that motivating me this winter? Well, not exactly. :)

Reply



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    Hi, I'm Jeanine

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  • Home
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  • The Cozy Corner
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