Advice from our Woman’s Weekly doctor
SAD is sometimes known as ‘winter depression’ because the symptoms are usually more apparent and severe at this time of year. However, a few people with it may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter.
The exact cause of SAD isn’t fully understood, but it may be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days, which might stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus working properly, increasing production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy, and reducing production of serotonin, a hormone that