Mental health expert explains seasonal affective disorder

As the days get colder and darker, your mental health could be affected.

It’s called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression or anxiety that lasts through the winter.

Rebecca Rackow, director of advocacy, research, and public policy with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Saskatchewan chapter, told Gormley the details of the disorder.

For one, a lack of sunlight can cause hormonal problems.

“We have a lot less vitamin D, which affects melatonin and serotonin levels,” she said.

There are also factors other than the weather.

“There is a lot of depression that goes on around the holidays, so December is a difficult month,” Rackow said.

She listed some of the symptoms of SAD.

“Having sleep irregularities, weight gain and changes in your appetite, feeling exhausted or sluggish, and having difficulty concentrating,” she explained.

However, she says those same symptoms could point to different mental illnesses. Because of this, she has one major recommendation.

“This is a real depression, so medication and counselling can be helpful,” she said. “It’s important to see a doctor.”