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Seasonal depression, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression.

It’s triggered by the change of seasons and most commonly begins in the fall. This seasonal depression gets worse toward the later part of fall or early winter before ending when the sunnier days of spring begin.

You can also get a mild version of SAD, often times just labeled the “winter blues.”

Let’s face it, it’s normal to feel a little down during colder months when you’re stuck inside more and it gets darker earlier. But full SAD goes beyond this. It’s actually a form of depression. The signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with major depression, and some specific symptoms that differ for SAD. Symptoms similar to depression can include feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day; losing interest in activities you once enjoyed; experiencing changes in appetite or weight; having problems with sleep; feeling sluggish or agitated; having low energy; feeling hopeless or worthless; having difficulty concentrating and having suicidal thoughts. For additional symptoms associated with SAD, it may include: over sleeping; over eating with particular cravings for carbohydrates; weight gain; and social withdrawal.

So, how common is SAD? According to Mental Health America, “In a given year, about 5 percent of the U.S. population experiences seasonal depression.

“Four out of five people who have seasonal depression are women.

“The main age of onset of seasonal depression is between 20 and 30 years of age, however symptoms can appear earlier.

“The prevalence of seasonal depression is anywhere from 0-10 percent of the population, depending on the geographic region.”

The cause of SAD is not fully understood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Research indicates that people with SAD may have reduced activity of the brain chemical (neurotransmitter) serotonin, which helps regulate mood. Research also suggests that sunlight controls the levels of molecules that help maintain normal serotonin levels, but in people with SAD, this regulation does not function properly, resulting in decreased serotonin levels in the winter. Other findings suggest that people with SAD produce too much melatonin—a hormone that is central for maintaining the normal sleep-wake cycle. Overproduction of melatonin can increase sleepiness. Deficits in vitamin D may exacerbate these problems because vitamin D is believed to promote serotonin activity. In addition to vitamin D consumed with diet, the body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight on the skin. With less daylight in the winter, people with SAD may have lower vitamin D levels, which may further hinder serotonin activity.”

To treat SAD, there are a few things a person can do. Treatments may be used alone or in combination: Light therapy-for this treatment, the person sits in front of a very bright light box (10,000 lux) every day for about 30 to 45 minutes, usually first thing in the morning, from fall to spring. Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” focused on developing coping skills and replacing negative thoughts related to the winter season. Antidepressant medications-these can help with serotonin activity and prevent recurrence of seasonal major depressive episodes when taken daily from the fall until the following early spring. Vitamin D, because many people with SAD often have vitamin D deficiency, nutritional supplements of vitamin D may help improve their symptoms.

If you think you might suffer from SAD, talk to your health care provider and see what treatment is best for you. Because the timing of SAD is so predictable, people with a history of SAD might benefit from starting treatment before the fall to help prevent or reduce the depression.