[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/10\/how-seasons-change-mood\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/10\/how-seasons-change-mood\/","headline":"Seasonal Affective Disorder: How Seasons Change Your Mood","name":"Seasonal Affective Disorder: How Seasons Change Your Mood","description":"For many people, their mood changes as the seasons do. Learn about seasonal affective disorder and discover ways to cope with it.","datePublished":"2015-10-16","dateModified":"2022-10-03","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","name":"UPMC Western Behavioral Health","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/behavioral-health-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/behavioral-health\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Seasonal-Affective-Disorder.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Seasonal-Affective-Disorder.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/10\/how-seasons-change-mood\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Mental Health"],"wordCount":892,"keywords":["depression","mood","SAD","seasonal affective disorder","seasonal mood","winter"],"articleBody":"Sunlight can affect your mood in a variety of ways. Sunny weather can put a smile on your face and improve your outlook, while a sky full of clouds can put a damper on your whole day.Some people are more sensitive than others to seasonal changes in daylight hours.\u00a0Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)\u00a0is a form of depression that affects people who are sensitive to less sunlight. Most people experience SAD symptoms in the fall and winter months.Anyone can experience SAD, but it’s more common in:Women.People who live far from the equator, where daylight hours in the fall and winter are very short.People between the ages of 15 and 55 who are at a higher risk of getting SAD than those who are older.People who have a close relative with SAD.People with SAD have a pattern of\u00a0depression\u00a0symptoms, including:Sadness.Lack of motivation.Reduced ability to experience joy.Poor concentration.Changes in appetite.Insomnia or sleepiness.Low energy.Suicidal thoughts and behaviors.SAD symptoms follow a seasonal pattern, generally occurring during the fall and winter months when we are exposed to less sunlight. Many people commute to work in the dark and travel home in near or complete darkness, which can increase symptoms. SAD symptoms usually improve with the arrival of spring.\u201cIt\u2019s more than just the winter blues,\u201d Dr. Jennifer Beckjord, Senior Director of Clinical Services, UPMC Western Psych, tells WPXI. \u201cIt\u2019s actually a subtype of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder that lasts for a season and then goes away for the rest of the year.\u201dThe symptoms of SAD, like other forms of depression, can make daily life difficult. SAD affects an estimated 10 million Americans, or about 6% of the population. Another 10 to 20% may have mild forms of SAD they don’t report.\u201cIt does tend to be more common among women than men,\u201d says Dr. Beckjord.SAD is more common in the northern parts of America. For example, SAD is seven times more common in Washington state than in Florida. Because of cloud cover, those living in western Pennsylvania may experience higher levels of SAD.Reasons for Seasonal Changes in MoodThe cause of SAD is not clear. When the seasons change from summer to fall or winter, people may experience a shift in their internal biological clock (circadian rhythm). This change may lead to symptoms of SAD. Lack of daylight also can affect your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that helps control the body’s internal clock and sleep cycle.SAD has been associated with low levels of vitamin D, triggered in the winter months by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight. Other factors, such as not being able to enjoy favorite outdoor activities, may contribute to SAD.What to Watch ForFor some people, seasonal changes in mood can interfere with their daily activities and well-being. People living with SAD experience depressive symptoms that occur annually during fall and\/or winter months. These symptoms can include:Sleeping a lot but still feeling tired.Craving sweets or carbs.Having a lack of energy.Losing interest in activities you enjoy.Having trouble concentrating.Feeling sad, grumpy, irritable, or anxious.Talk to your doctor if you experience these symptoms because SAD can be treated.Mood-Boosting Treatments for SADLight therapy\u00a0is usually the first choice of treatment for SAD. Regular use of light therapy for 30 to 60 minutes each day can help\u00a0ease the symptoms of SAD. This treatment is most effective if done before sunrise or right after sunset.\u00a0Check with your mental health care provider before trying light therapy, especially if you have bipolar disorder.Antidepressants\u00a0and vitamin D supplements may help with SAD symptoms.Counseling is a common treatment for SAD.\u00a0Cognitive-behavioral therapy\u00a0can help you learn what causes SAD, how to manage your symptoms, and how to prevent future episodes.See your primary care provider or mental health specialist for guidance on using light therapy, selecting an antidepressant to treat SAD, or finding a therapist.Daily Ways to Boost Your MoodWhether you have SAD or a lack of light has just made you “blue,” here are a few simple ways to perk yourself up every day:Go outside.\u00a0Get some fresh air. Take a short walk, especially on sunny days.Brighten your workspace. Open the blinds or turn on more lights. The more exposure you get to sunlight or bright lights indoors, the better you’re likely to feel.Think spring!\u00a0SAD and “winter blues” are usually temporary. Try to remember that when spring arrives, your mood should start to lift.Behavioral and Mental Health Services at UPMCIf you or someone you love is struggling with symptoms of SAD, depression, addiction, or another mental illness,\u00a0UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital\u00a0can help. We offer a wide array of behavioral health services for children and adults and provide cutting-edge programs and compassionate care for all types of psychiatric conditions and mental and behavioral health needs. Call us at\u00a0412-624-1000\u00a0or\u00a01-877-624-4100\u00a0(toll-free).If you live in Allegheny County and need immediate mental health care or counseling, call the free 24\/7\u00a0resolve Crisis Services\u00a0hotline at\u00a01-888-796-8226\u00a0or visit the walk-in center at 333 North Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208.Editor's Note: This video was originally published on October 16, 2015, and was last reviewed on October 3, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"10","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/10\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Seasonal Affective Disorder: How Seasons Change Your Mood","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/10\/how-seasons-change-mood\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]