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00:00It's not uncommon to dread the change in the seasons and those long winter nights, however,
00:05if you start to feel that it's having an impact on your mental health or impacting your everyday
00:10life, you could be experiencing the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD.
00:18According to a report by Healthwatch in 2023, 1 in 20 people in the UK are diagnosed with SAD,
00:25with men more likely to be diagnosed than women.
00:30SAD is a type of depression that often appears in a seasonal pattern. It's sometimes described
00:35as winter depression as symptoms of SAD can be more enhanced during the winter months for some
00:41people. According to the NHS, symptoms of SAD can include a persistent low mood, loss of pleasure
00:49or interest in normal everyday activities, irritability, feelings of despair, guilt and
00:55worthlessness, lacking energy, sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the
01:01morning, craving carbs and gaining weight, difficulty concentrating and a decreased sex drive.
01:09The causes of SAD are still not fully understood. It's thought to be linked to the lack of sunlight
01:15which can then interfere with a part of the brain that can affect the production of melatonin,
01:21serotonin and also the body's circadian rhythm or internal body clock. Treatment options for SAD
01:29outlined by the NHS include lifestyle recommendations such as getting more natural
01:34sunlight, light therapy such as using a light box or a SAD lamp, talking therapies or the use of
01:42antidepressant medications. If you suspect that you may have SAD, it's important to reach out to
01:49your GP with any concerns that you may have. You can find out more about SAD signs, symptoms
01:56and treatment options on...