Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that does not just occur in grown-ups, but it is also found in children. Nowadays, where social stigma has become a signature, cases of seasonal affective disorder are increasing. Parents might not be able to differentiate between their child’s sadness and rude behaviors.
Don’t worry. This article will provide tips for parents on managing seasonal affective disorder in children.
What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
It is also known as seasonal depression and winter blues. As the season changes, it triggers depression in people, but majorly this commonly happens in late fall and gets worse between late fall and early winter. It affects the person’s way of thinking, the way they react, think, and feel.
It is a feeling that is different from sadness or unhappiness. Also, it is not a sign of personal weakness, which will wash away in some time. For some people, depression might just be a feeling that will go away. Rather than hiding those feelings, it is better to express them to someone and get medical attention. It is clinically proven that, with proper care and medical treatment, people get over seasonal affective disorder or depression.
Symptoms and causes
Symptoms-
According to the American Psychiatric Association, some symptoms should not be avoided. Here is the list of symptoms-
- Sadness
- Feel depressed all day
- Anxiety
- Craving for carbohydrate foods
- Intense weight gain or loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Lack of energy
- Trouble in concentration
- Sleepless nights
- Thoughts of suicide
- Feeling heavy over shoulder and legs
- Restlessness and agitation
- Feeling worthless
Causes-
- Biological clock- less exposure to sunlight directly impacts our mood, sleep, and hormones.
- Chemical imbalance in the brain- chemicals in our brain called neurotransmitters play a role in communicating between the nerves. Sunlight plays a massive role in regulating serotonin, but in winter, these chemicals get disturbed and increase the risk of depression.
- Melatonin- a kind of chemical in the brain that influences moods.
Why does it commonly occur in winter?
Seasonal affective disorder occurs most frequently in winter because of the reduced daylight hours. This disturbs the body’s natural circadian rhythm and leads to reduced serotonin development. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter linked with mood, so when this hormone is reduced, a person starts to feel depressed.
Key points: why SAD is prevalent in winter-
- Less exposure to sunlight disrupts the body’s basic rhythm.
- The development of melatonin in the body promotes sleep, fatigue, and drowsiness.
- The sleep pattern is impacted highly.
- Appetite changes (majorly in winter, craving for high-carb food increases)
Spring and summer SAD
- Insomnia is common in people in this season
- Agitation and anxiety
- The weight started to decrease
- Increased irritability
Bipolar disorder and seasonal changes
Those who have bipolar disorder are at high risk of seasonal affective disorder. Due to seasonal changes, a person’s mood changes, significantly impacting their behavior. This behavior also increases the chances of mania or an intense form of mania (hypomania).
Risk factors
There are a number of risk factors linked with SAD-
- Family history
- Location, in which area children live, highly influences their mindset.
- Toxic family environment
- Less exposure to sunlight
- Age
- If a child has faced any mental issue, they are at high risk of seasonal affective disorder.
Other than that, parents need to know with whom their friends are playing or going outside and what kind of habits their children have adopted. The environment they are handling highly influences their mood and behavior. If they are constantly in a hostile environment, then the chances of SAD are high. The foundation of children and their mental health ensures their teen adulthood development.
Tips for Parents to Protect Children from SAD
- Establishing a healthy routine along with a sleep pattern
- Balanced diet
- Supporting emotionally
- Encouraging them to speak about how they feel
- Get them to indulge in more outdoor activities
- Encouraging mindfulness practices
- Managing stress
- Talk to the child about SAD and how it impacts mood
- Monitor your child’s habits and pattern of response
- Let them explore new things
- If needed, consult with the specialists
