MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Seasonal mood disorders, also known by the acronym SAD, ‘seasonal affective disorder,’ are a set of symptoms that occur cyclically and recurrently during seasons with less sunlight, typically autumn and winter. Those affected tend to have a persistent low mood and to sleep more, or conversely to be unable to rest and in any case feel tired and without energy. These disorders can greatly affect the quality of life, both in the personal and work spheres. As Christmas approaches, then, the picture can worsen. Indeed, the prospect of the holidays is linked to experiences of melancholy and anxiety in those suffering from the so-called ‘Christmas sadness. These are some of the issues discussed by Claudio Mencacci, a psychiatrist, president of the Italian society of neuropsychopharmacology and director emeritus of the department of neuroscience and mental health at ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco in Milan, interviewed by Marco Klinger, for Medicina Top, a TV format of the Italpress news agency. “Many people suffer from seasonal mood disorders depending on the latitude, it depends mainly on that, and so especially Swedes, Norwegians, Finns,” he began, “The issue of latitude is important, it tells us how much light we have. In Italy the percentage of those who suffer from a seasonal disorder ranges from 3.5 percent to, in its subthreshold form, over 11 percent, it’s an important share. The female gender suffers from it much more than the male gender, the ratio is 6 to 1,” Mencacci revealed. “It’s a very strong disparity and it tells us how much more the female gender is involved in the nature of daily, monthly and yearly rhythms and especially its relationship with light. And the whole thing is also related to the age of the person,” the professor added, “The age when one is most exposed to seasonal disorders is from 20 to 30-35 years old, then there is another phase that for women is the periclimacterial phase. Proper rest and healthy social relationships are in the first places to avoid running into seasonal mood disorders: “The rest-work relationship has changed a lot, sleep-wake rhythms have broken down,” he stressed, “The brain has a great protector which is sleep, when it breaks down our mental health goes at risk. In first place to reduce the risk of depression is good sleep, in second place are certain styles and habits, such as paying attention to alcohol, and in third place maintain a good relational-social life,” assured the professor. “The real growing pathology in cities is isolation and loneliness. The social disconnect is much stronger in cities, both because work rhythms are different and because of the much stronger media and digital connection. More and more we will realize the fatigue in living in metropolitan cities.” The symptoms are common enough, but it is the intensity and duration that make the difference and should set off alarm bells: “Demoralization affects 100 percent of us, sadness almost the entire population. Altered sleep, concentration, and mood, and an increased state of tiredness and fatigue are symptoms, but what matters is the intensity and duration of these symptoms,” Mencacci pointed out. “If they are continuous for more than two weeks, it is time to seek counseling and you can think of a seasonal mood disorder. Finally, regarding some advice, especially in view of the holiday season: “Physical activity is essential, the minimum requirement is 300 minutes a week. Add to this attention to diet, the right exposure to light, even if little as in the winter months, a good social-relational life,” he reiterated. “It is essential to combine these different conditions, and above all to start respecting our times as well, for example, knowing how to manage the enormous effort of living the Christmas holidays with joy, otherwise one will run into a situation of enormous stress,” Mencacci cautioned. “The Christmas holidays are a joyful time, but they can also be sad. The advice is to never create excessive expectations for yourself, rather to keep in touch with your emotions and to take into account your emotionality,” he concluded, “And also, don’t make an effort to always say yes, but a few no’s every now and then helps.
– photo taken from Top Medicine video -(ITALPRESS).
