As the clocks go back many of us bemoan the shortening days and colder weather, and we may feel a bit more tired as winter sets in. For others though, the seasonal changes can herald something more serious than the so-called winter blues.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (Sad) is a medically-recognised mood condition that has a major impact on sufferers’ everyday lives, with people experiencing depression symptoms that seriously affect their mood and energy levels.
It is important for those affected to realise that medical support is readily available. Employers also have a role to play to support their employees.
For a diagnosis of Sad an individual must have been depressed over the same months each year, with the symptoms naturally improving, for at least two years running.
The symptoms mirror those of any depressive episode, although signs such as tiredness, regardless of how much a person has slept, and increased appetite, with a particular craving for carbohydrates, are especially noticeable.
Other common indicators include loss of interest in enjoyable activities, difficulty concentrating and being more irritable and grumpy than normal.
The condition can affect anyone, but is most common in women and in people between the ages of 15 and 55, particularly those who have a close relative with Sad.
Sad’s exact causes are not fully understood, however the general consensus leans towards a link with reduced exposure to sunlight.
That is why it is more evident in countries where there are significant changes in daylight, temperature and weather between the seasons, with people noticing the first signs of the condition around September with symptoms continuing until March or April.
Lack of light is thought to affect the production of the hormones melatonin and serotonin, impacting the circadian rhythms.
Melatonin slows down the internal body clock, affecting sleep and mood patterns.
People with Sad respond to a decrease in light by producing more melatonin, while at the same time making less serotonin: known to have an effect on mood and emotional well-being.
Circadian rhythms, influenced by light, affect sleep-wake cycles, body temperature and other important functions.
As with many other medical conditions, different approaches work for different people.
Self-help: To help reduce symptoms, people should:
a. Find time each day to go outside in natural daylight hours
b. Work in bright conditions
c. Take regular moderate exercise
d. Eat a well-balanced diet
e. Talk to friend and family about how they are feeling
Antidepressant medication
Talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a short-term technique helping people change the way they think, feel and behave, has proven to be very helpful
Light therapy: This involves using a light box in a specific way for a particular time each day to increase the body’s exposure to light; rebalancing the hormone production and resetting the body clock. People should always check with their doctor before starting any light treatment and ensure the box provided has been medically proven to treat Sad.
Employers should make reasonable adjustments for employees diagnosed with Sad.
One of the first indicators there may be an issue is a marked difference in attendance compared with the summer months, along with tiredness, lethargy and anxiety.
Adjustments can include supporting light therapy, re-siting the person’s desk nearer a window, or simply allowing time off to attend treatment, such as counselling.
Some reasonable adjustments with respect to working hours such as later starting may also be very useful.