Summer time will occur during the first week of November, marking shorter days and longer nights for all but two states across the United States. Daylight saving time also commonly conflicts with those suffering from Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and explain how the two are often linked.
Daylight saving time, or daylight saving time, is when clocks are set forward one hour during the warm months to extend daylight hours, especially late summer sunset hours. In the spring, hence the term “spring forward”, clocks are set forward one hour, while during the autumn months, the term “back” means that the clock goes back one hour to what is known as standard time.
As with many things, the implementation of DST in the United States was motivated by a desire for productivity and commerce with many citizens claiming that the longer days provided by DST reduce energy consumption due to fewer lights, encourage more outdoor activities, and more. Only Hawaii and much of Arizona do not use DST. Outside of the states, where it is called “summer time” in the UK and parts of Europe, daylight saving time is only observed by a small portion of other nations. Daylight saving time is not observed for countries near the equator because there is little variation in sunrise and sunset times.
According to Johns Hopkins MedicineSeasonal affective disorder is considered a form of depression with two onset periods that we will discuss below. Primarily, the DST “down” period is mostly associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder, as the general explanation is that shorter days and longer nights can cause chemical changes in the brain and thus the onset of depression.
While fall and winter are considered the times when most episodes of SAD occur, it can occur in people during the warmer months. However, the most recognized school of thought is that with less sunlight, these aforementioned chemical changes occur more frequently. In addition, the hormone melatonin, which helps regulate sleep cycles, increases in darkness and is higher at night, hence the feelings of rest. The hormone has some tangential links to SAD, but studies are still determining the link.
As we shared earlier, SAD manifests in people in two ways. Fall onset, the most common form, begins in late fall and extends into the winter months and is sometimes called winter depression. For some, the depressive episodes last well into the summer. Spring onset, as the name suggests, can occur in late spring and extend into early summer. It is also called summer depression and is not as widely reported as winter depression.
People with SAD experience a variety of symptoms that include fatigue, weight gain, physical pain, anxiety, loss of interest in social activities, problems focusing, increased cravings for sugar and carbohydrates, decreased sex drive, and other conditions.
If someone is diagnosed with SAD, there are many avenues for treatment that are not dissimilar to treatment for anxiety and depression. For winter depression, sun exposure, daytime walks, or sitting by a window and taking in natural light can be a mood booster. Other treatments may include light therapy under the direction of a health care provider, psychotherapy, and antidepressants.
To be proactive in treating SAD, the first thing most experts recommend is to seek professional help. From there, a treatment plan can be developed with a health care provider best suited to help someone cope with their episodes. Another method is to not isolate yourself and instead reach out to friends, family and loved ones for social activities. Watching your diet and increasing physical activity are also helpful tactics. One of the most important ways to get help is to let those who care about you help bring you out of the dark.
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Depression is not a condition that can be overcome overnight, and several underlying factors contribute to negative feelings. Seasonal affective disorder is no different and there is no such thing as a quick fix.
With time, and with some of the suggested ways of seeking help, most people will find their way back to their brightest and best selves. Overall, remember to be kind to yourself as you move forward on your journey to better mental health.
For more details, please visit this page from the National Institute of Mental Health, which covers much of what we've covered here.
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