Fall and winter bring cooler weather and shorter days, which can be especially tough for those with depression. Children are not immune and can also experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Seeing your child struggle with these seasonal changes can be heartbreaking. During this time, they need extra love, care, and support.
This blog post provides essential information on seasonal affective disorder in children and offers guidance on how to support your child through this challenging period.
Key Takeaways
- Seasonal affective disorder in children occurs as the seasons change, typically during fall and winter.
- It’s suggested that less exposure to sunlight and reduced serotonin and melatonin levels can cause SAD in kids.
- Treatment options for SAD range from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to simpler strategies such as keeping kids active.
Table of Contents
- What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
- How Common Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
- What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder in a Child?
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of SAD in Children?
- How Is SAD in Kids Diagnosed?
- Should I Consult a Doctor?
- Which Treatment Options Are Available for SAD?
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Light Therapy
- Medication
- How to Help Your Child Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Conclusion
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression, specifically a major depressive disorder, that follows a seasonal pattern. People diagnosed with SAD experience mood changes and feel sad, glum, or blue.
The onset of SAD usually occurs in late fall or early winter, and is often called “winter blues.” Many people get depressed during the winter time for so many external reasons:
- Certain geographic areas get dark and snowy.
- The sometimes chaotic environment surrounding the holidays
- The overall sadness some might feel if they don’t have family around them during the holiday season or are missing a loved one during that time
In addition, other clinical factors may cause a child to develop SAD. We’ll discuss them later on.
Learn more about SAD and how to address it on our blog.
How Common Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
While SAD tends to develop in adults who are in their early 20s, it can also affect older kids and teenagers. It’s been estimated that over a million children and teenagers experience the condition yearly.
Other factors contributing to how common SAD is include geographical latitude or where you live. For instance, residents of higher latitudes with darker days throughout the winter are more likely to develop the condition.
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder in a Child?
The actual causes of SAD remain unknown, which can make diagnosing and treating the condition difficult. However, some potential causes have been identified.
Less Exposure to Sunlight
According to the Mayo Clinic, the fewer hours of sunlight in the fall and winter may cause SAD. The decrease in sunlight may disrupt a body’s internal clock or circadian rhythm.
WebMD explained that there are patterns of brain wave activity, hormone production, cell regeneration, and other biological activities linked to our 24-hour cycle. If light and dark patterns change, it can impact a child the same way it does an adult and possibly cause an onset of SAD.
Lower Serotonin Levels
Serotonin, often called the “happy hormone,” is a brain chemical that controls so many cells in our body directly and indirectly. It affects our mood, appetite, sleep, sex drive, memory, learning, and temperature.
Reduced sunlight in the fall and winter months can reduce serotonin production, which can trigger depression. If your child is showing changes in their behavior, such as leaving their homework unfinished, achieving lower grades, or not talking or hanging out with friends as much, it might be time to talk to a doctor about the possibility of SAD.
Decreased Melatonin Levels
Another possible contributor to seasonal affective disorder developing in a child is serotonin’s right-hand hormone, melatonin. You hear a lot about melatonin now, as many people use it as a supplement to induce sleep.
Known as the “sleep hormone,” melatonin is a brain hormone also regulated by light and darkness. The National Sleep Foundation explained that the body produces melatonin at night, usually around 9 p.m. Generally, melatonin levels rise, and kids and adults begin to feel tired and less alert.
Melatonin levels remain high for about 12 hours and wear off around 9 a.m. If there are reduced hours of sun and more hours of darkness, melatonin levels can decrease further, making kids more tired, sluggish, and blue.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms of SAD in Children?
SAD shares symptoms with the other forms of depression. At most, children diagnosed with the condition may:
- Feel sad or grumpy for some reason or none at all.
- Find their hobbies and interests less enjoyable than before.
- Lack the energy to do daily activities.
- Gain or lose weight.
- Overeat or lose their appetite.
- Feel like they haven’t done their best in everything they do.
- Show self-harming behavior.
- Feel hopeless, worthless, or numb.
- Think about or try to commit suicide.
SAD in children may also cause symptoms such as a craving for carbohydrates, little time spent with friends or family, and difficulty concentrating on tasks.
How is SAD in Kids Diagnosed?
SAD in kids is only diagnosed if some or most of the abovementioned symptoms persist for two years or more.
Depressive episodes caused by the condition can last four or five months, starting from around November and ending in February or March. This period depends on how much sunlight your area gets—more tropical countries enjoy more sunshine in winter.
When diagnosing SAD in children, observe their behavior and any significant changes to see if they feel moody or down. It’s also important to recognize that the symptoms of any form of depression, including SAD, will show within at least two weeks.
Should I Consult a Doctor?
To address SAD properly, consult a pediatrician or mental health professional first.
Your chosen provider may screen your child or ask them to answer a questionnaire to determine whether they need a diagnosis. Furthermore, healthcare providers may direct you to other experts for more evaluations or proper treatment.
Which Treatment Options Are Available for SAD?
SAD in children can be treated with the following methods:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Most healthcare professionals specializing in SAD encourage patients to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT.
Kids with the condition lose energy and motivation, which is why CBT for SAD involves the concept of behavioral activation. It requires immense effort to reverse depressive behaviors and can help your child build and maintain a consistent sleeping schedule, healthy eating habits, adequate screen time, and social connection.
Additionally, sufferers of SAD are encouraged to be outside in natural daylight for as long as possible every day. Behavioral activation can promote this along with regular physical activity.
Light Therapy
If your child isn’t able to spend some time outside or there is limited daylight, they can be treated using light therapy or phototherapy.
In this type of treatment, the patient is instructed to sit a few feet from a special lamp on a regular basis. They should also stare at the light for brief periods so it’s absorbed into the retinas. Your child’s doctor may recommend a light box that can be used for 20 to 30 minutes every morning at an illumination of 10,000 lux. The light from the device simulates the natural daylight outside.
Light therapy can address symptoms within several days to a few weeks. Still, it’s best used when recommended by a pediatrician.
Medication
In other cases, a person with SAD may be prescribed medication. Some take anti-depressants formulated to regulate the levels of neurotransmitters related to mood and energy.
How to Help Your Child Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder
As the winter blues kick in, giving your child the love and support they need is important. Here are some things you can do to help them cope with SAD.
- Never ignore their symptoms. Seek professional help if you notice any changes in your child’s mood or behavior.
- Learn about SAD and discuss it with your family and friends to help them better understand your child.
- If the season forces everyone to stay home, make it a more comfortable experience for your child. Serve hot drinks, light up some candles or a fireplace, and spend quality time together.
- Encourage regular physical activity indoors and outdoors.
- Spend time with friends and loved ones who share the same experience.
- Help your child with their homework and projects when needed.
- Eat a balanced diet. Swap carbohydrates and sugary snacks for plenty of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Set a regular sleep schedule for your child and make sure it’s followed. This can help improve the symptoms of SAD.
Conclusion
Seasonal affective disorder in kids (and adults) shouldn’t be ignored. Considering the possibility that SAD could change your child’s mood and behaviors is the first step towards getting a proper diagnosis and treating its symptoms.
For more about SAD, please read the articles below.
- SAD During the Holidays
- Causes of Seasonal Depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder – Symptoms and Treatment
- My Battle with Summertime (SAD)ness
Frequently Asked Questions About SAD
Is seasonal affective disorder a disability?
No, seasonal affective disorder isn’t a disability. It’s classified as a type of major depressive disorder that occurs as the seasons change.
Many patients show symptoms of SAD in fall and winter, although others experience them in spring and summer.
What’s the difference between SAD & depression?
The difference between SAD and depression lies in when one shows specific symptoms. If your child experiences depressive episodes in the fall or winter, their symptoms intensify during those seasons, or the warning signs increase for two years or more, they may be diagnosed with SAD.
Does vitamin D help SAD?
Vitamin D can help with SAD. Getting natural sunlight, undergoing light therapy, and eating vitamin D-rich foods boost the production of this nutrient.
Furthermore, Vitamin D regulates serotonin. Fewer amounts of vitamin D in the body could reduce serotonin levels during winter.
Where can I get help for seasonal affective disorder in children?
You can get help for seasonal affective disorder in children from a healthcare provider. Pediatricians and mental health professionals provide a proper diagnosis and recommend the right treatment based on their findings.
How do seasonal affective disorder lights work?
Seasonal affective disorder lights work by emitting intense light with a specific level of illumination, typically measured in lux. Higher lux means a brighter light that helps the brain regulate melatonin and serotonin production.
Try light therapy for SAD in kids with an effective light box from Alaska Northern Lights.
