Seasonal Affective Disorder (aptly called
SAD) occurs during fall and winter when there are reduced daylight hours. Children
suffering from SAD will display a distinct change in behavior correlating with
the seasons. During the winter they can become depressed, irritable, lack focus
and suffer from fatigue. Sleep patterns and appetites can also be affected. While
researchers haven’t completely solved the puzzle of SAD, they suspect it is due
to the lack of vitamin D as well as reduced levels of serotonin in the brain.
Symptoms
of SAD
It can be difficult to distinguish SAD
symptoms from regular mood swings. Children can become depressed, irritable,
moody, disinterested and can have difficulty concentrating.
They may suffer from fatigue and lose their
appetites.
Sleep patterns will be disrupted and they
will have trouble falling asleep and getting up in the morning.
Their academic performance will suffer as
they lack motivation, always feel tired and won’t be able to concentrate in
class.
Activities that they usually enjoy will no
longer interest them. They may not want to go out or exercise.
Students who are suffering from SAD may
display some or all of these symptoms in varying degrees of severity.
Treatment
and Prevention
As the days begin to shorten and your
children start staying indoors more often, focus on prevention to keep their
winter blues at bay. Encourage exercise and play and get them outdoors as often
as possible. Everyone craves carbohydrates and ‘comfort foods’ over the colder
winter months, and while these are fine in moderation, stick to a healthy diet.
Make an effort to include plenty of
vegetables, fruit and whole grains in your family’s diet. Try to include
natural sources of vitamin D like fish oils, salmon, cheese, egg yolks, and
milk. You can also consider giving your children a vitamin D supplement to make
up for missed sunshine. Our bodies use sunlight to create vitamin D (that’s why
it’s called the sunshine vitamin!) If you have a warm, sunny spot in your home,
get them to roll up their shirt sleeves and soak up the sun.
Light therapy (or phototherapy) is also
suggested as a preventative measure. Here just twenty minutes a day under a
special light to simulate sunshine can help to beat the winter blues. You can
get phototherapy home kits for convenience.
Plan special events so that your children
have something to look forward to. This will help to keep a positive attitude.
Bundle up and get outside every day. Whether
you are enjoying winter sports, making a snowman or having a snowball fight,
being active and getting outside can help to alleviate SAD symptoms.
Like all forms of depressions, symptoms can
range from mild to extreme. If you think that your child may be suffering from
SAD, speak to your pediatrician or psychologist immediately.
