Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents with Depression
The holiday season should be a time of joy and celebration. Yet, for some adolescents, it can also be a time of emotional distress and sadness. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that can significantly affect an adolescent’s mental health and well-being.
People often say that knowledge is power. Thus, knowing the facts about seasonal affective disorder will help parents recognize the symptoms early. And get their children the treatment they need. By being proactive, you will help your child, reduce family stress, and have a more enjoyable holiday season.
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Key Takeaways
- SAD is a type of depression characterized by mood shifts.
- To diagnose it, it’s crucial to consult a doctor who can distinguish it from other types of depression.
- The best way to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder is to seek help early.
- To protect your mental health, you should also make lifestyle changes and avoid negative thoughts.
Defining and Identifying Seasonal Affective Disorder
Definition of SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter and often improves in the Spring and Summer. Seasonal and weather changes are SAD triggers. The condition can get worse with holiday-related stress.
Recognizing SAD Symptoms
Some common symptoms to help you identify if your child is experiencing a seasonal affective disorder are:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Low energy or motivation
- Irritability
- Difficulty focusing
- Loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed
- Frequent crying
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Cravings for carbs and sugars
- Sleep problems, such as insomnia or oversleeping
- A tendency to withdraw or isolate oneself
- Thoughts of suicide
One commonality is that wintertime, short days, and less daylight are factors that trigger the condition.
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Prevalence Among Adolescents
SAD Facts
- 10% of 6th to 10th graders were affected by depression last year. Of those, 3.3% were affected by seasonal affective disorder.
- It is more commonly diagnosed in girls.
- It often starts between the ages of 18 and 30, but recent studies show that it is becoming more prevalent in adolescents.
- Adolescents often go undiagnosed until adulthood.
- Adolescents are more likely to get a diagnosis for other mental health issues instead of SAD.
Early intervention can make a significant difference in their daily life.
Winter SAD or Holiday Blues
Both conditions affect adolescent moods this time of year. As discussed earlier, SAD is a more acute condition, and it is a clinical form of severe depression that is more likely to start in autumn and last until the Spring or Summer.
In contrast, “holiday blues” are temporary feelings like sadness and loneliness during the holiday season. Holiday blues are triggered by stress, unrealistic expectations, and social situations. They are typically short-lived and linked to the holiday season and resolve shortly afterward.
How is SAD Similar to Major Depressive Disorder, GAD, or Bipolar Disorder
The distinct feature of SAD is its seasonal pattern. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves persistent worry. Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder that involves extreme mood swings, mania, or hypomania. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) symptoms are the most similar to SAD, also a depressive disorder. Depression or MDD and Seasonal Depression are three distinct conditions.
Teens with depression can also be affected by seasonal affective disorder. Differentiating these conditions will help you get the right diagnosis.
Understanding the Causes of SAD
The causes of SAD are biological and environmental. Biologically, factors include:
- Genetic factors
- Difficulty regulating serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for balancing moods.
- Higher levels of SERT, a protein that indicates lower levels of serotonin activity, levels of which are affected by sunlight.
- Overproduction of melatonin, a hormone that affects sleeping patterns. Shorter winter days increase levels of melatonin, making people feel more tired and sleepy.
- A vitamin D deficiency
- Circadian rhythms
- Decreased exposure to sunlight
Parents should encourage their teenagers to spend more time outdoors or take vitamin D supplements to mitigate the effects of seasonal depression in the winter.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Diagnosing SAD in Adolescents
To diagnose and find the right treatment for seasonal affective disorder, your doctor will assess the severity of the symptoms by asking you and your child to complete a questionnaire. They will also consider medical history, previous episodes of seasonal depression and any underlying medical conditions.
The DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing SAD involves
- Recurrent episodes of major depressive disorder that occur at a specific time of the year.
- Complete remission of depressive episodes that take place at a particular time of the year.
- A pattern of seasonal episodes that must have happened for at least two consecutive years.
Seasonal SAD Treatment Options Overview
Once a diagnosis is made, a variety of treatment options are available, including:
- Light therapy: exposure to bright light for a specific duration to reset the body’s internal clock and increase serotonin levels in the brain.
- Psychotherapy: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can provide coping strategies and help recognize other triggers.
- Antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help regulate brain chemicals and improve mood.
Consultation with a mental health professional is necessary for determining the most appropriate treatment approach for each individual.
Recommendations for Dual Diagnosis
When an adolescent has a dual diagnosis of SAD and another condition, such as addiction, ADHD, OCD, ODD, or conduct disorder, treatment must address both conditions concurrently. Therapy and interventions should be focused on the manifestations of SAD and the root cause of the co-occurring condition.
In cases of dual diagnosis, when your child is not responding well to treatment, residential treatment options have proven beneficial in healing and managing certain conditions.
Tips to Manage SAD Symptoms During the Holidays
The holidays are stressful enough for most people, but they can be especially challenging for an adolescent with SAD. The combination of holiday stress and environmental factors can and most likely will exacerbate symptoms.
To reduce and manage SAD symptoms during the holiday season, it is important that parents:
- recognize the challenge of the situation
- create new positive memories
- help their child prioritize self-care
- encourage them to seek social support
Embracing self-care
Prioritizing self-care during the holiday season involves setting realistic expectations for oneself and others, exercising regularly, and seeking confidential emotional support when needed. Spending time outdoors and getting enough sunlight can also help alleviate SAD symptoms, as can maintaining a regular sleep schedule and consuming well-balanced meals.
Seeking social support
Social support plays a significant role in managing seasonal affective disorder. Seek support from friends, family, or mental health professionals. Engaging in social activities, volunteering, or joining a support group can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation that often accompany SAD. Communicating openly about one’s feelings, including negative feelings and experiences, can also provide emotional relief and encouragement during the holiday season.
Establishing healthy routines
Establishing healthy routines, such as regular exercise and proper sleep, can help prevent or reduce SAD symptoms.
Early Intervention and Prevention Strategies
Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent SAD, early intervention, lifestyle modifications, and addressing negative thinking can aid in reducing its impact and enhance overall mental health. Early intervention for SAD involves recognizing the symptoms and consulting a professional who will assess, diagnose, and provide treatment.
Understanding and recognizing the symptoms, causes, and treatments available will empower teens with the condition and their families to take control of their mental health and enjoy the holidays to the fullest. By seeking early intervention and implementing lifestyle modifications, a person can manage SAD, ensuring a happier and healthier holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
What month does SAD start?
- SAD usually starts in late fall or early winter, typically around November or December. Symptoms are typically most severe during December, January, and February before slowly dissipating during the spring months.
What are 5 symptoms of seasonal affective disorder in adolescents?
- Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, lethargy, unexplained fatigue, changes in appetite, disrupted sleep, and difficulty concentrating. It is more common as winter approaches and daylight hours become shorter.
Is there seasonal anxiety?
- Seasonal anxiety appears to be a real phenomenon, with people experiencing more symptoms of mania or hypomania during the spring and summer months and depression during the fall and winter months. Seasonal Anxiety Disorder (SAD) may also occur during certain months, most commonly the colder months, but in some cases can occur during the summer months.
What is the blue mood after a holiday?
- The post-holiday blues are a common experience, marked by feelings of sadness or disappointment following the holiday season.
What is the difference between Seasonal Affective Disorder and regular depression?
- Seasonal Affective Disorder is a subtype of depression characterized by a seasonal onset, usually beginning in the autumn and persisting until spring. In contrast, regular depression can occur at any time of the year.
Over the past two decades, Turning Winds has been able to help many families overcome what seemed impossible odds. Our mission is to rescue teens from crises, renew their belief in their potential, reunite them with their families, and put them on a sustainable path to success.
Contact us online for more information on how we could help your son or daughter, or call us at 800-845-1380. If your call isn’t answered personally, one of us will get back to you as soon as possible.
