Holiday Unhappiness: Understanding Seasonal Mood Disorders

Seasonal Affective Disorder likely tied to existing condition

(AUSTIN, Texas – Dec. 13, 2016) — Gloomy weather and earlier sunsets during the holidays can cause some people to feel blue. But how do you know if your sadness is related to the dreary weather, or something else?

Newest information released by the American Psychiatric Association about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) shows that SAD may be linked to existing mood disorders that get worse during certain seasons. 

“The term ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ has recently been abandoned in clinical practice guides,’” said Seton psychiatrist Samuel Collier, MD. “This is because seasonal mood problems are likely a reflection of an underlying mood disorder like major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder that worsens in a seasonal pattern.”

Seton is part of Ascension, the largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system.

“Mood disorders” is a term broadly describing all types of depression and bipolar disorders.

Seasons of sadness
In most cases, mood disorder patterns begin in the fall or winter and end in the spring, Collier said. In rare cases, it can happen in the summer. You may have a seasonal mood pattern if you experience symptoms of depression beginning at a specific time of year.

Collier, who is also an assistant professor at Dell Medical School, said people with depression usually experience multiple symptoms for at least two weeks. It’s tough to tell the difference between symptoms that occur in a seasonal pattern and symptoms that occur at other times. Symptoms of depression occur together in a cluster for a minimum of two weeks and cause functional impairment.

Depression symptoms include:

• Constant sadness
• Changes in sleep or eating habits
• Feeling tired or lethargic
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of ability to enjoy activities that were previously enjoyable
• In severe cases, thoughts of suicide

According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults, and is serious illness affecting the way you think and act.

Holiday blues
It’s common for some people to feel sad during the holidays but if you feel depressed after they are over, it may mean something more serious.

“Clinicians have to be careful to delineate what someone means when they say they are depressed,” Collier said. “This can imply a more casual way of expressing displeasure or sadness in addition to challenging or unfortunate circumstances. But it can also imply a more serious psychiatric syndrome that needs careful evaluation and treatment.”

If you continue to feel sad after the holidays over, check in with your doctor or psychiatrist. Suicidal thinking is never normal and is very serious.

Dealing with depression

If you think you might be depressed, start by talking to your doctor or psychiatrist to receive a thorough exam.

Collier said it’s important to know the difference between normal reactions to difficult circumstances and more serious mood disorders. A therapist can help you figure out what’s going on and how to proceed with treatment.

Maintaining exercise and sleep routines, and spending time with supportive friends and family can help improve your mood. Overeating or consuming alcohol can contribute to depression.

If you only have trouble with depression symptoms during the winter months and don’t have other mood disorders, light therapy may help by emitting bright artificial light.

To be effective, you have to use a lightbox for a specific period of time. But it doesn’t work for everyone, so talk to your doctor to see if light therapy is for you.

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About Ascension

Ascension is a faith-based health care organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2016, Ascension provided more than $1.8 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Approximately 160,000 associates and 36,000 aligned providers serve in 2,500 sites of care – including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities – in 24 states and the District of Columbia as part of Ascension’s Healthcare Division. Through its Solutions Division, Ascension subsidiaries provide a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension’s own group purchasing organization.

About Seton Healthcare Family

Ascension’s Texas ministry comprises Seton Healthcare Family and Providence Healthcare Network. The Daughters of Charity founded Austin-based Seton in 1902 and Waco-based Providence in 1905 as a sign of God’s unconditional love for all, and today strive to expand access to high-quality, low-cost, person-centered care and services. Seton operates more than 100 clinical locations, including four teaching hospitals that serve as training sites for Dell Medical School at The University of Texas. Seton conducts research in such areas as the prevention and treatment of stroke, traumatic injury, epilepsy and chronic condition management. Providence operates a major hospital; a psychiatric and substance abuse resource center; and a premiere community for independent and assisted living, long-term and sub-acute care. Both systems have strong cardiovascular and neuroscience programs. Seton, which operates Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, also is the regional leader in pediatric care. Together in 2015, Seton and Providence provided more than $450 million in charitable care. For more information, visit www.seton.net and www.providence.net.