When Does SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Start, End, & Peak?

Each year, the NHS estimates that around 2 million people across the UK experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or what many of us simply describe as seasonal depression. That’s 3.6% of the population. 

The SAD form of depression can take away the good things in life during certain times of the year. But when might you feel that mood shift, peak, and end, and what can you do about it? 

The seasonal depression timeline 

For most of us in the UK, the symptoms of seasonal depression can start to appear as early as September. It will be at its worst during December to February, hence sometimes being referred to as ‘winter depression’. For those living in the north of the UK, and in particular Scotland, SAD symptoms can come sooner. During the winter months, it tends to get darker in Scotland earlier than it does in England and Wales. 

The pattern of seasonal depression in the UK, can go like this: 

• Early to mid-autumn: For some this is when SAD starts. You may begin to feel more tired than usual. You could be sleeping longer and wanting to ‘lie in’. 
  
  
• November to February: This is when things typically peak and get the most difficult with SAD. The Christmas period may be a welcome distraction briefly, but January can be especially rough with those dark mornings, dark evenings, and what feels like constant drizzle in between. 
  
  
• March onwards: Most people who suffer with SAD start feeling better as spring approaches. Those first few days when you notice it's still light at 5pm can feel genuinely uplifting.

Consider Smart TMS

There are things you can do to help mitigate the symptoms of SAD, some of which we describe further down the page. If you are not aware of us already, we are a UK clinic offering TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) treatment. It’s a non-invasive, medication-free treatment, proven effective in treating depression.  

Spotting the warning signs of SAD

How do you know if what you're experiencing is actual seasonal depression rather than simply a dislike of typical UK winter weather? Some of the signs to look out for can include:

• Dragging yourself through the day despite sleeping more than usual. 
  
  
• Reaching for comfort foods and maybe putting on winter weight. 
  
  
• Finding it hard to focus on work or studies. 
  
  
• Cancelling plans when socialising feels too much effort. 
  
  
• Feeling irritable or low with no obvious reason. 
  
  
• Losing interest in hobbies that normally make you happy.

Why does SAD happen?

It's not all in your head. The lack of sunlight during UK winters can have an effect on your body’s chemistry in several ways:

• Our internal body clocks get confused when there's less natural light: The shortened days affect our serotonin levels (that's the ‘feel good’ chemical in our brains). Plus, our bodies produce more melatonin in darkness, making us sleepier.
• Living at UK latitudes means we're particularly vulnerable: We experience dramatic differences between summer and winter daylight hours compared to countries closer to the equator.

What can help with SAD?

Here are some things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal depression when it starts.  

• Some sufferers have had success with light therapy boxes. 
  
  
• Talk to your doctor to see if medication is suitable for you. 

However, for many sufferers, these solutions have not worked. If you have tried other approaches with little success, TMS offers a different option.  

This non-invasive treatment was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for depression in the UK in 2015. NICE noted “consistently positive outcomes in many studies and a good safety profile… commentary from patients was positive and they described significant benefits to their quality of life including the advantages for some patients of being able to stop oral antidepressant medications”.

Getting ahead of SAD

If you've battled seasonal depression, you know it can be easier to reduce the symptoms by starting to manage it before the start and peak. Consider starting your management strategy before the clocks go back.  

It's very possible that TMS could help you to navigate the darker months when your SAD symptoms are at their peak. Spring always comes eventually, but there's no need to suffer through until then. Read more about how TMS can be used to treat SAD, and please contact us for a consultation. Our clinic is open all year round to help sufferers of seasonal depression.