The Causes & Risk Factors of SAD

December is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month – SAD is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons.

Last week I shared information about the signs & symptoms of SAD. This week I’m sharing about the CAUSES & RISK FACTORS of SAD: 

The specific cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder remains unknown. Some factors that may come into play include:

·        Your biological clock (circadian rhythm). The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body's internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.

·        Serotonin levels. A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, might play a role in SAD. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin which may trigger depression.

·        Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body's level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is diagnosed more often in women than in men. And SAD occurs more frequently in younger adults than in older adults.

RISK FACTORS of SAD: Factors that may increase your risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder include:

·        Family history. People with SAD may be more likely to have blood relatives with SAD or another form of depression.

·        Having major depression or bipolar disorder. Symptoms of depression may worsen seasonally if you have one of these conditions.

·        Living far from the equator. SAD appears to be more common among people who live far north or south of the equator. This may be due to decreased sunlight during the winter and longer days during the summer months.

·        Low level of vitamin D. Some vitamin D is produced in the skin when it's exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D can help to boost serotonin activity. Less sunlight and not getting enough vitamin D from foods and other sources may result in low levels of vitamin D in the body.

NOTE: The information in this post was obtained from the MAYO Clinic’s website in an article titled: SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)

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