There are three dates marked on my calendar for the month of December. Of course there is Christmas on the 25th, most “Christian” have that date marked as well. I also put on my calendar my sister Cindy’s birthday. For years I would call her on the 27th when real date was the 29th. We would laugh about it but after a few years we decided to make it a tradition. Why would you want to call a few days early? Well, here’s how the chain of events used to go. On the 27th, I would call Cindy to have a little chat and wish her happy birthday. After she hung up, she would go find her husband and tell him that I called two days early again to wish her a happy birthday. This is a subtle way to remind someone when your birthday is without being obvious! Oops, caught myself chasing a squirrel… Again!

The final date I look forward to is December 22nd which marks the day after the winter solstice. Don’t freak out, I’m not going all pagan on you. However I do find it interesting how the birth of Christ landed in December although biblical records indicate this event to be in the spring. The pagan rituals Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti celebrate “true light of the world” which makes sense because Christians believe Christ is literally “the everlasting light”. According to quick search on my lds scripture app (cool to use even if you’re not Mormon), the phrase “everlasting light” is found in 118 places in scriptures. The phrase “light of the world” is found another 249 times.

Ok, now that I have wondered way off track, let’s get back on topic. The 22nd of December is the day when the amount of sunlight slightly increases. Those of us who are affected by winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) know how important sunlight is.

According to the Mayo clinic, the symptoms of SAD usually begins in late fall and lasts during the entire winter. However some people may be affected during the spring and summer months.  Looking for signs of depression is important, although an increase of suicide around the holidays is a myth according to the Center of Disease Control (CDC).  It is unfortunate however that the CDC reports 36,000 people commit suicide each year. Another 374,000 self-inflicted wounds are treated in emergency rooms has also been reported. I know you all agree, these numbers are way too high.

The list of symptoms from the Mayo Clinic website is extremely long. Hence I will be shamelessly cutting and pasting the next section.

“Major depression:

Seasonal affective disorder is a subtype of major depression that comes and goes based on seasons. So symptoms of major depression may be part of SAD, such as:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Having low energy
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having problems with sleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

Fall and winter SAD

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:

• Irritability
• Tiredness or low energy
• Problems getting along with other people
• Hypersensitivity to rejection
• Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain

Spring and summer SAD

Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:

• Depression
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Agitation or anxiety”

 

Those with bipolar conditions also are susceptible to spring and summer SAD. The onset of longer days and more sunlight can often trigger mania in some bipolar patients. Late fall and winter are when depression sets in.

It is time to see your doctor when the winter blues turns into depression. If you are no longer interested in doing activities you like or having problems with sleeping, these are indications of when you need professional help. Also monitor weight changes and whether or not you a have normal appetite. Other indications such as turning to alcohol for comfort, feeling helpless, and thoughts of suicide should be taken seriously.

I believe the old adage “better safe than sorry” would apply here.  Overly safeguarding your emotional health is better than allowing yourself to spin out of control. In my opinion it is also important to monitor the behavior of friends and family in order to provide support when needed.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the treatments for SAD include psychotherapy, medication, and light therapy (phototherapy). Although the first two has worked for me, the phototherapy wasn’t that helpful. I tried a number of different light therapies without notable success. I personally enjoy a once a week visit to a tanning salon during the winter months. Full spectrum tanning imitates exposure to sunlight. After a session I feel like I’ve been relaxing on the beach for 10 minutes. You should talk to the manager of the tanning salons to make sure their beds provides full spectrum bulbs. Not all tanning salons furnish this type of bulb because they are expensive. This is not a doctor recommended treatment, but it’s something I have found to be helpful. Be sure to check with your doctor and pharmacist to be certain medications you may be taking  does not make you sensitive to sunlight or tanning beds.

I hope you have enjoyed today’s blog. If you have any other helpful treatments for SAD, please include them in your comments.

Thanks and have an awesome day!

 

Center of Disease Control:  https://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/suicide/holiday.html

Mayo Clinic:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/basics/definition/con-20021047

Winter solstice traditions:  https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice-customs.html
LDS Websight: https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng