The winter season is gloomy and it casts a melancholic ambiance. The days are shorter and the nights are longer. The world takes on a muted and desaturated look, with the dullness of the season mirrored within the monotony of color.

According to the info from the India Meteorological Department, India’s National Capital has witnessed a January colder than in earlier years because the temperature continued to be beneath regular day-time ranges for many of the month. The common most temperature up to now this month was 17.3 levels Celsius, which is the bottom for the month until January 27 from at the very least 2012 onwards.

The harsh temperatures poses critical health dangers, resulting in a rise in varied cold-related sicknesses. The season additionally has a worrisome impression on the psychological well being. The biting chilly months are sometimes related to the danger of creating Seasonal affective dysfunction, or SAD, a situation wherein some individuals expertise a big temper change when the seasons change. It is noteworthy that SAD just isn’t thought of a separate dysfunction however is a kind of melancholy.

‘A recurrent depressive disorder’

Depression is likely one of the main causes of morbidity related to medical sicknesses. Dr Shambhavi Jaiman Consultant Psychiatrist Department of Mental well being and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare advised Financial Express.com that SAD is a recurrent depressive dysfunction characterised by the onset of depressive signs throughout particular seasons, usually the autumn and winter months.

“The prevailing hypothesis is that reduced exposure to natural sunlight during these seasons disrupts circadian rhythms and affects neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin and melatonin,” Dr. Jaiman stated.

Meanwhile, Dr. Srikanth Srinivasan, Chief Medical Director, Niyama Digital Healthcare highlighted that SAD can often throughout summer season which is termed SAD – summer season kind.

“Deficits in vitamin D which results from reduces sunlight exposure in winter may exacerbate these problems because vitamin D is believed to promote serotonin activity,” Dr. Srinivasan advised Financial Express.com.

It could start at any age nevertheless it usually begins when an individual is aged between 18-30 years.

According to Dr. Rahul Chandhok, Head Consultant, Mental Health and Behavioural Science, it’s extra widespread amongst youthful adults than in older adults.

“Also this happens more in women than men. It is believed that shorter days, less daylight during the winter season may trigger a chemical change in the brain resulting in symptoms of depression,” Dr. Chandhok advised Financial Express.com.

What is the standing of SAD in India?

Multiple media reviews recommend that greater than 10 million individuals in India endure from SAD. According to Dr. Jaiman, restricted analysis in India suggests the existence of SAD, with greater prevalence in areas experiencing distinct seasonal adjustments.

“Factors contributing to its occurrence may include reduced sunlight exposure, lifestyle modifications, and cultural influences affecting individuals’ susceptibility to depressive symptoms during specific times of the year,” she defined.

However, SAD is much less properly studied in India in comparison with different western international locations.

“While the community prevalence of SAD in North America is around 5% there have only been a few clinic/hospital-based studies from Northern India. While a study from Kashmir reported winter type SAD as being more common, the other study from Chandigarh reported summer type SAD as being more common [5.7% of all cases seen in that hospital]. Mania predominant SAD was also commonly reported in the Chandigarh study but not in the Kashmir study,” Dr. Srinivasan advised Financial Express.com.

In temperate climates, like within the United States, SAD usually happens within the winter months, and is related to decreased daylight publicity. However, in India, it’s common to expertise SAD throughout summer season months.

The weather conditions with harsh, snowy winters in Kashmir and excessive summer season warmth in Chandigarh and adjoining North India and the latitudinal location of the locations have been cited because the attainable causes for these divergent outcomes, he revealed.

Moreover, Dr. Chandhok additionally highlighted that in India, scorching summers and gloomy winters are the foremost the reason why individuals really feel irritable, depressed and have much less vitality.

“Sometimes monsoon is also responsible for SAD in India, causing irritation among people. The changes in the seasons affect the natural biological clock which causes changes in the mood,” he advised Financial Express.com.

What are the signs of SAD?

Symptoms of main melancholy could embrace:

• Having a low/unhappy temper many of the day, almost daily
• Losing curiosity in actions you as soon as loved
• Having issues with sleep, urge for food or vitality
• Feeling hopeless or nugatory
• Having frequent ideas of demise or suicide

For winter-pattern SAD, further particular signs could embrace:

• Oversleeping (hypersomnia)
• Overeating, significantly with a yearning for carbohydrates
• Weight acquire
• Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”)

Specific signs for summer-pattern SAD could embrace:

• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Poor urge for food, resulting in weight reduction
• Restlessness and agitation
• Anxiety
• Episodes of violent behaviour

How SAD is recognized and handled?

To obtain a prognosis for SAD, a person should meet sure standards. According to Dr. Srinivasan, like in some other psychological situation an individual with suspected SAD is initially queried concerning the signs, onset, period, impression, precipitants and some other previous medical or household psychiatric sicknesses and coverings.

“A thorough review of symptoms of all major psychiatric conditions is also conducted. He/she is then taken through a mental state examination – the equivalent of a physical examination to assess current mood, emotional and cognitive state. Information is also gathered from a close family member or friend. Laboratory tests may be
ordered if needed,” he knowledgeable.

The ultimate prognosis is arrived at adhering to plain classification techniques [DSM or ICD] and the therapy plan formulated collectively along side the individual and/or household, he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chandhok defined that in India, SAD is recognized based on the DSM-III-R standards. “This ailment is generally is self-diagnosable. The thorough evaluation to diagnose SAS includes physical examination and asking in-depth questions about your mental health status,” he advised Financial Express.com.

The three mostly use strategies of therapy for SAD embrace:

• Bright Light Therapy – given day by day early within the morning utilizing a lightweight field
• Antidepressant Medications from the SSRI class in addition to the drug Bupropion
• Psychotherapy
• Vitamin D

Who is extra vulnerable to SAD?

Seasonal affective dysfunction (SAD) is extra widespread in individuals between 18 and 30 and other people assigned feminine at beginning. According to Dr. Srinivasan, SAD is 4 occasions extra widespread in girls than males.

“It is more common in those living farthest from the equator in northern latitudes. It is also commonly seen in patients with pre-existing mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder or Bipolar disorder. Professionals who do shift work may also be at particular risk,” he stated.

SAD may additionally happen due to genetic elements as properly.

“If there are cases of SAD in someone’s family history, then he/she is more likely to experience SAD. It’s not a difficult thing that cannot be tackled on its own. If you are experiencing seasonal depression then it is advised to shift your focus from things that are making you feel depressed and instead concentrate on doing things that make you feel good,” Dr. Chandhok defined.

For occasion, if the gloomy climate is making you’re feeling depressed then it’s higher to keep away from wanting outdoors and as an alternative do one thing else like studying a ebook, watching a film or listening to some music, he emphasised.

“If it becomes too much for you to handle, then consider consulting a mental health professional,” he added.

When to see a health care provider or a psychological well being skilled?

When SAD happens in a light kind it’s known as “Winter blues”. This is probably not extreme sufficient to trigger issue in interpersonal or occupational functioning.

However extra extreme or extended signs of ample magnitude and particularly if accompanied by ideas of self-harm] to impair interpersonal or occupational functioning virtually all the time warrant a session with a psychological well being skilled, Dr. Srinivasan instructed.

It is advisable to seek the advice of a psychological well being skilled when experiencing persistent adjustments in temper, vitality, or conduct that considerably impression day by day functioning.

According to Dr. Jaiman, warning indicators embrace ideas of self-harm, difficulties in dealing with day by day life, and a noticeable decline in total well-being.

“Individuals with SAD can benefit from a holistic approach to treatment, combining professional interventions with lifestyle modifications. Establishing a robust support system, engaging in stress management techniques, and addressing cultural nuances in therapy are integral aspects. Continued research in India will contribute to a deeper understanding of SAD, facilitating more tailored and culturally sensitive interventions,” she advised Financial Express.com.

DISCLAIMER: If you or somebody you realize is scuffling with their psychological well being or in misery contact the Vandrevala Foundation’s helpline (+91-9999666555) which is accessible in 11 languages together with English and may be accessed through phone or WhatsApp 24×7. You also can contact Fortis Hospital’s National Helpline quantity 91-8376804102 which is accessible 24×7. You also can contact the Government Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline ‘KIRAN’ at 18005990019 which is accessible 24×7.