Seasonal affective disorder takes root in more people

Well, it's been just over a week since we ended Daylight Saving Time, and that is leading to darker afternoons and earlier sunsets. You've obviously noticed. Here's a live look from our rooftop camera looking off towards San Francisco. And this time of year often leads to more people suffering from seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. The symptoms can be similar to depression, often including feelings of hopelessness and difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Experts estimate that millions of Americans have seasonal affective disorder. Okay, so let's talk more about it now with Dr. Mansai Rana, a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City. Really appreciate you being here. So how common is it for people to kind of notice a change in their mood when the seasons change? It's very common, more common than we would think. At least 5% of Americans have seasonal affective disorder, and it's more common in females. And it usually starts when... In the winter months, so if people notice that they are being, you know, they're isolating more, they're more depressed, they don't enjoy things, that's something you want to pay attention to. All right, so obviously, you know, for a lot of people, it feels like the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are triggered by the time change, this time of year, the shorter days. Do we have a lot of clarity, though, on exactly what causes seasonal affective disorder? So the data out there... It doesn't pan out. It's not because we have our daytime saving change. It has to do with the length of the day. The shorter days invite less sunlight, invite more melatonin secretion in the brain through pineal gland, low serotonin levels that directly impact our mood. So is there something to be said about how we approach? these winter months mentally? For sure. Number one, be aware. So if you find yourself not being energetic enough the way you are, not wanting to do things, wanting to stay in bed more, maybe eating more carbs, maybe not doing those exercises, maybe just, you know, not engaged, think about it. And You can do so many things to help yourself, so yes, you can. Like what? What are some of the best, most effective ways to try to cope with seasonal affective disorder? Yeah, there you go, number one. If you have a lunch break, go out, get that little bit of sunlight, okay? Hit the gym, so those small muscle exercises will release endorphins. Do not... Use your device in bed. Go to bed a little bit early so you're not spending a lot of time awake in the night. So those are some things you can start doing. Don't pick up the phone. Call that friend. Don't put off social engagements. So those are some things that you can easily do. Yeah, better sleep and stay away from the devices. Yeah, but it seems like these might be a little difficult when you talk about the fact that you don't have the energy. You don't feel motivated. How do you kind of get over that hump? That's in a vicious circle. You don't exercise, then you don't feel like doing it anymore, you're more tired, you're getting deconditioned. So it will have to be, find a buddy. Sometimes doing something together can help. Or if somebody's predisposed to developing depression, Like handle it early on, talk to your psychiatrist, talk to your primary care doctor, there are things you can do, whether it's, you know, the light machines or whether it is vitamin D that you need to, you know, add up on, or maybe you need some more extra support with a therapist, maybe cognitive behavior therapy, sometimes medications can help like antidepressants. So there's so many different things that can be done, but you know, whatever works for you Yeah, better to get ahead of it than waiting. How should people know that it's to a point where they should be coming to see a medical professional for help? Okay, the three words, seasonal affective disorder. So it has to do with season, so winter months. Affect, the external manifestation of your inner emotional state. Disorder, anything that comes in the way of life. When it's impacting your life, whether it's at home or at work, then it is a disorder. If it's disrupting your normal day-to-day life and you start to notice that, that's probably when it's time to come see someone like you. Absolutely. Okay.