Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression with a seasonal component and is most prevalent when daylight is shortened and sunny days are fewer. A smaller number of people have a summer variant where they become more irritable, more agitated starting in the spring and continuing through the summer months.
Dr. Tanvir Singh, MD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital and Professor and Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toledo wants parents to be aware that symptoms often “begin in October and continue through the holidays. When everybody’s busy, many times kids are struggling, and it can easily be missed.”
Singh emphasizes that kids and adolescents are especially vulnerable. In kids’ brains, the limbic system is more developed earlier — which are the emotional areas of the brain. These areas develop much sooner than the regulating areas of the brain — which is the frontal area that isn’t fully developed until age 25.
“Anything which makes these emotions more difficult or more challenging (like shortened daylight), causes kids to be more vulnerable because their brain is less equipped to handle it,” Singh said.
Around 10% of adolescents are clinically diagnosed, but it is likely closer to 25% that are impacted by SAD. SAD may be affecting kids, but not to the level where parents are seeking help for them.
Warning signs for seasonal affective disorder:
- Changes in mood: Feeling sad, depressed, irritable or worthless..
- Negative thinking: More sensitive to rejection or criticism and may perceive more problems than usual.
- Lack of enjoyment: Lose interest in activities, friends, and socializing.
- Low energy: May feel tired, have low energy, or lack motivation.
- Changes in sleep: Increased need for sleep and may have trouble getting up in the morning.
- Changes in eating: May crave simple carbohydrates, comfort foods and sugary foods. May gain weight in the winter.
- Trouble Concentrating: Trouble focusing may negatively affect schoolwork and grades.
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Identifying SAD
The key to identifying SAD is noticing that these mood and behavior changes are happening year after year with the change in season. “That’s the key. It (SAD) can be easily overlooked with kids because it may be seen as ‘kids just being kids’,” warns Dr. Singh.
He says that young people are especially vulnerable to the effects of SAD. Kids can struggle more because they are already more emotional and impulsive before the effects of seasonal affective disorder. Also, SAD can cause sensitivity to rejection, perceived rejection or feeling left out. Adolescents are already primed to be sensitive in these areas.
Singh feels that “it is easy to blame social media without looking deeper. Many times, social media and digital does play a role, but unfortunately, many times it’s not just the electronics. Beneath the surface may be an underlying mental health issue including SAD.” Underlying depression can make adolescents less able to cope with challenges, changes and hardships.
Treating SAD:
- Healthy Lifestyle: More physical activity, even indoor sports and activity improves serotonin which is negatively impacted by SAD. A healthy diet and good sleep habits can also help.
- Get Outside: Especially when the sun is peaking out. Short trips to sunnier locations can also be beneficial.
- Vitamin D: Get vitamin D levels tested as sometimes low levels are a factor.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Addresses the distortions in thinking that are present with SAD.
- Light Therapy: Approved as a treatment for adults but can be effective for adolescents too. Many stores now carry the bulbs ( 2,500 to 10,00 lux) which can be used for 30 – 45 minutes daily, in the morning, from fall to spring.
- Antidepressants: Prescription medicine may be needed in some cases.
Singh recommends that parents discuss with their pediatrician any changes in their child’s behavior that accompanies the change in seasons year after year.
