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Why the Changing Seasons Might Make You ‘SAD’

After a long winter full of sharp winds and freezing temperatures, the first warm and sunny day is often welcomed with open arms. Perhaps you feel more optimistic about the future, or perhaps more productive than you were in winter. Animals also become more active in spring – whether that be bears waking up from hibernation or birds migrating from one region to another. For many people, it may seem as if spring is the season to ‘get things done’, as opposed to winter or fall. However, why might many people feel less productive in winter or fall? Why do we as humans experience such mood fluctuations depending on the season?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD for short – a bit ironic right?) is a type of disorder that involves the fluctuation of mood, depending on the fluctuation of seasons. Notably, SAD involves a depressed mood that usually takes hold in early fall, and continues throughout the winter months. Usually, individuals with SAD have a reduction of symptoms once the spring begins, however, there are individual differences. Some features of winter-pattern SAD include feelings of hopelessness, low energy or feeling sluggish, oversleeping, and a loss of interest in activities you were interested in before. There are also individuals who can experience SAD in the spring and summer. This is known as summer-pattern SAD, with symptoms like a loss of appetite, increased irritability, and trouble sleeping.

So then, what might be causing SAD? While there are still many gaps in the research of this disorder (especially when it comes to summer-pattern SAD), what research has been done can glean some insight into why these mood fluctuations can occur depending on the season. One hypothesis is that the decrease in daylight hours that occurs in the winter months may trigger the onset of depression in individuals, due to an increase in the secretion of melatonin. Melatonin is one of many hormones made in the body that are involved in your ability to fall asleep at night, and wake up in the morning. Other studies have highlighted the role of serotonin – a chemical made in the brain that is involved in many things, such as sleep, appetite, and mood. It has been suggested that in individuals with SAD, there is an abnormal, or dysregulated production of serotonin. It is worth mentioning that SAD is a disorder, which means that it is associated with significant mood changes depending on the season. You can be an individual who may feel more productive in the spring than in the winter (or vise versa), and not have SAD!

With all of this information laid out, one might begin to jump to the conclusion that, naturally, the arrival of spring would result in a cessation, or reduction, of SAD symptoms for many. However, this is not the case for many people! Like stated earlier, summer-pattern SAD involves the onset of SAD symptoms during the spring and summer. Many individuals can experience mood fluctuations in springtime due to the sheer changes that the season brings. Many people might be ending the school year, and thus experiencing less social interaction. This can also be the opposite – perhaps people are engaging in more social events that can bring in a lot of anxiety. Spring is also a season where many different flowers and plants are blooming and growing. This leads to an increase in pollen production and, as a result, allergies. After chronic exposure, these allergies can weaken our immune systems, leading to more mental and physical health complications.

It is critical to remember that while spring and summer might be traditionally associated with better moods, and increased productivity, this is not the case for everybody. Understanding this is crucial – especially when it comes to supporting yourself, and others during these seasonal changes.

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