After Labor Day the days become shorter and shorter. We drive to work in the dark. Depending on where we live, we may drive home in the dark. In some a gloom sets in. We can’t wait for spring to release us from this prison of darkness. At 7:20 a.m. every year on February 2, thousands of people gather in western Pennsylvania as Punxsutawney Phil leaves his burrow at Gobbler’s Knob, observes the weather conditions, looks for his shadow, and makes his prediction regarding whether there will be an early spring or six more weeks of gloomy winter.
For those who live in northern climes where there is little sunlight in the winter, who develop daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms, food cravings (especially for carbohydrates) and weight gain, spring can’t come soon enough. They suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also called winter depression, and its incidence increases the closer one lives to the North and South Poles. Thus we see more SAD in Alaska (almost 10% of the population) than in Florida (less than 2% of the population), with the symptoms lessening as the days grow longer.
Genetic and Other Factors
The common wisdom is that SAD is light-related, and therefore, extending the day with artificial light has been described as a treatment. However, recent research suggests that light therapy is only part of the story.
While the reduced amount of daylight during the winter plays an important role in SAD, the syndrome cannot be traced to the amount of daylight exposure alone. Rather, recent research suggests that susceptibility to SAD may be related to variations in genes responsible for the production of a pigment called melanopsin. Specialized cells (called ganglion cells) in the retina contain the light-sensitive melanopsin pigment and are believed to play a role in resetting our circadian clock as well as setting our mood. That may explain why some northern populations, such as those of Icelandic descent in Iceland and Canada, may be protected from developing SAD. It has been hypothesized that in patients with SAD, retinal sensitivity to light is decreased and that, together with the reduction in winter light, these factors act synergistically to trigger winter depression. Recently it has been shown that visually impaired people are more susceptible to developing SAD.
The Sleep-Mood-Diet Conundrum
Some researchers have used the phrase “circadian dysregulation” or “desynvhrony” to describe the mismatch between a person’s circadian clock and the world around her. This desynchrony can have an effect on mood. Patients with SAD spend more time in bed awake, require more time to fall asleep, and more often experience poor sleep quality. The combination of these factors can impact several hormone systems, including those involved in appetite control and metabolism. Reduced sleep time changes the levels of hormones that control appetite (leptin and ghrelin) and may negatively impact how the cells in the body respond to the hormone insulin. As if adding insult to injury, the lack of a good night’s sleep can also make you grumpy and lead to weight gain.
New Therapies on the Horizon
Starting in October and throughout the winter season (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere), a 30-minute exposure first thing every morning to bright light — whether natural sunlight or a “light box” — can be effective in treating or preventing SAD. Light exposure can change the binding of serotonin in parts of the brain. Since the circadian system is especially sensitive to blue light, researchers are studying the effectiveness of a lower intensity and duration of exposure to blue enriched light. More recent research suggests that blue light may not be always required. Light exposure is also now being used to treat non-seasonal depression. However, the jury is still out on whether these light treatments have negative effects on vision. What is really intriguing is that light aimed into the ear canal may have antidepressant effects!
Since SAD is a form of depression, its mood effects can be treated with antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy. Interestingly, there is little evidence that the hormone melatonin itself has a positive effect on depression or SAD.
While Seasonal Affective Disorder is not usually life-threatening, it can lead some patients to suicidal ideation. Patients with significant symptoms will benefit from treatment and must seek professional help. It has been reported from a research group in Vancouver, Canada, that light therapy may lessen suicidal thoughts in patients with SAD.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, like all mental illness, is real, and researchers continue to study how best to address its symptoms. Fortunately, its effects wane as the days grow longer. Here’s hoping that Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow on February 2, that we will have an early spring!
References and Readings Cited
Drs Abbott, Malkani, and Zee have written an excellent chapter on Circadian Dysregulation in Mental and Physical Health (Chapter 39:, in Kryger M, Roth T, Dement WC ,Eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine (Elsevier, 2017).
Originally published at medium.com