Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Provided by: Eliot Lopez, Ph.D.
It happens this time of year: the leaves start to change color, the wind starts to chill, and your energy and mood start to dip. Even in a warm place like San Antonio, it can be like clockwork, you notice yourself feeling slower and more depressed. You're sleeping more, or maybe you're less interested in things you like. “This will pass,” you tell yourself. “It’s just the holidays.” And eventually, around the spring, it does, only to return at this time next year.
If this sounds like you, you may be one of the millions of Americans living with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression that occurs specifically during particular times of the year, like around the holidays. It’s more than just feeling stressed out about family gatherings over the holidays (though that certainly can make it worse), and it may be accompanied by some of the following symptoms:
What causes SAD? There are some theories. Because of the time change in the fall, most people have less exposure to natural sunlight. This has three consequences. First, because humans, like most animals, function primarily during the day (diurnal) as opposed to creatures who sleep during the day and function at night (nocturnal), our bodies produce more melatonin when it’s dark, which impacts sleep and energy levels. Also, because we’re not getting enough sunlight, our bodies don’t produce as much vitamin D; insufficient vitamin D is linked to feeling depressed. Finally, the change in light can impact our sleep cycle, which can have a longer-term impact on mood.
However, there are things we can do to manage SAD, and they also will help if you’re struggling with holiday stress or feeling down:
Managing your health means taking care of yourself and communicating with your healthcare team. Take note of when you feel “off” and take action to manage it. Remember, you don't have to go it alone! UT Health Physicians patients have onsite access to a team of behavioral health specialists ready to help them overcome depression and other concerns such as anxiety, insomnia, chronic illness and pain. Call 210-450-9000 to schedule an appointment.
* If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please seek professional help immediately. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or chat online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.