SAD

S.A.D. or “seasonal affective disorder” is a type of depression or low mood experienced only during certain months of the year – most commonly the winter months and it is estimated to affect around 7% of the UK population.

Please note that anyone experiencing severe or chronic low mood or depression should consult their doctor.

...Read more /> Symptoms

People experiencing S.A.D. may have a range of symptoms.  Some of these are common to most other types of depression, such as mood changes, disinterest in previously enjoyable activities, lack of willingness for social interaction, apathy, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness.  Some other symptoms are seen more frequently with seasonal (especially winter) depression, including sleep disturbances (especially desire to sleep more), lethargy or feeling “sluggish”, overeating, cravings for carbohydrates or sweet foods and poor concentration or memory.

What can we do?

All the suggestions in the Mind and Mood category – regarding both healthy eating and supplements – can also be helpful for S.A.D. 

In terms of our diet, it is particularly important to 'balance our blood sugar' by eating protein foods with each meal (such as fish, lean meats, eggs, beans, nuts/seeds), swapping 'white' carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta and white rice for wholegrain varieties, eating plenty of green vegetables and avoiding avoid sugary foods and other stimulants such as caffeine.  This will help to manage the carbohydrate and sugar cravings frequently experienced by people with S.A.D.

Supplements to favour from the Mind and Mood category would include 5-HTP, to provide the raw material for the body to make the 'happy hormone' serotonin, and the vitamins and minerals that the body needs to help produce this and other neurotransmitters – especially B vitamins, zinc and magnesium.  Another nutrient that may be particularly important for people who feel low in the winter is vitamin D.  We make this vitamin in our own body in response to sunlight on the skin; but in the winter months in the UK, we are not exposed to enough sunlight – and the sun is not strong enough even on a particularly sunny day – to produce very much of it, if any at all.  It is speculated that this lack of vitamin D may be a major factor in seasonal depression. 

Light therapy may also be effective for many people, as light has a direct effect on raising serotonin.  Light therapy consists of daily exposure to very bright light from a specially designed “full-spectrum” light box for typically 1-2 hours a day during the dark winter months.