By Caroline Somers
Due to the pandemic, many psychologists have predicted much more people will struggle with stronger symptoms of SAD this winter.
Because of this, it is more important than ever to take good care of yourself and keep SAD away.
What is SAD?
SAD is an abbreviation for Seasonal Affective Disorder. One of the most noteworthy symptoms of this condition is major depression that corresponds with seasons or specific times of the year – most commonly winter.
Most years, 5% of adults in America are diagnosed with SAD. These people show recurring symptoms each year from November to late March, where the most difficult months are January and February.
There are many symptoms of SAD, and it is important to be aware if you have them before they can worsen. These symptoms include depressed feelings at most times, a sense of hopelessness, fatigue, irritability, lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, hypersomnia, overeating, weight gain, short attention span, purposeful social withdrawal or isolation, and cravings for carbohydrate foods.
The cause of SAD is unknown at the moment, but biological problems can increase a person's risk of struggling with it. A few of them are the inability to regulate serotonin, which controls moods, the overproduction of melatonin, or a decrease in vitamin D production.
Why is SAD Different During a Pandemic?
Because of Covid-19, everyone has been limiting their social interaction with the people they would normally be with. Though we aren’t isolating ourselves because we want to, we are still social beings and need to be around others. The fact that we aren’t has taken quite a toll on some people and increases their risk of SAD.
It doesn’t help our social needs that due to travel restrictions and safety issues; most people will not be having their usual gatherings or festivities this holiday season.
This pandemic has caused a huge increase in anxiety for everyone, whether it be caused by job loss, changes in schooling procedure, or simply stress about illness.
Souzan Swift, a psychologist for the at-home healthcare service Heal says “we don’t know for certain how COVID-19 will impact SAD as this is the first winter we are experiencing this kind of stress and fear in the world; however, with COVID-19 still being a major concern, those with SAD may find it more difficult to overcome the symptoms.”
Many people were already showing symptoms of depression and anxiety due to the pandemic, and the change going into winter will only worsen those feelings.
Community Psychiatry worker Julian Lagoy says that people with SAD this year “will be at higher risk for depression since the pandemic is making everything more stressful, lonely, and depressing for everyone already.”
He also expressed his concern about the new COVID cases, because now that everyone is in more isolation, the majority of them spend very little or at least less time than before the pandemic in natural sunlight. This definitely increases their risk of SAD or depression.
How to manage SAD
It is especially important to take special care of your mental health in these times, so everyone is encouraged to manage their SAD symptoms at home, and there are many ways to do so.
Keeping in touch with friends and family is quite helpful. This helps to avoid full loneliness or isolation, even if it's just a phone call.
Maintaining a daily routine, eating well, and exercising is an essential to self-care and good mental health. This allows a feeling of normality each day in the crazy world we currently live in.
Safely creating a social interaction bubble with your immediate family or friends is certainly recommended. This way, you still have a holiday dinner with them, and have loved ones to spend this season with instead of isolating yourself.
Opening all blinds and curtains during the day allows natural light to enter your house. This is very important for intake of vitamin D, which helps prevent depression. Natural light is also proven to make you feel better at the time, giving you a signal to wake. Up and be productive.
If you follow these management tips, you are lowering your risk of SAD and really building your mental health.