Seasonal Affective Disorder doesn't just affect adults - here we'll explain how SAD can affect your child's behaviour and emotions.
Colder weather and darker evenings can bring about a shift in our mental health. Whilst some people relish the changes a new season brings, for others, it can be a trigger. SAD can be mildly affective for some, but crippling for others - with many of the world's population reporting a change in mood and energy when the shorter days and lower temperatures roll in.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD?)
SAD is a type of depression that has a seasonal pattern. The episodes of depression tend to occur at the same time each year, usually during the winter. The exact cause of SAD is not fully understood, but it is thought to be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter days of the year.
“In terms of symptoms, seasonal affective disorder and depression are one and the same,” says Heather Bernstein, PsyD, a clinicalpsychologist at the Child Mind Institute. “Seasonal affective disorder is essentially major depressive disorder that occurs during specific months of the year.”
How does SAD affect children?
Children can find it hard to put how they're feeling into words, so often their behaviour can become their method of communication.
Changes in mood
A child with SAD can feel sad or teary during the winter months, they may become more irritable and angry. It may feel like the smallest thing can cause them to become upset or overreact.
Low self esteem
Changes in your child's mood can cause them to become more critical of themselves or more likely to take things to heart. This can cause them to develop lower self esteem during the winter months.
Changes in appetite
Children with SAD may crave more comfort or sugary foods during the winter, they may have the tendency to overeat, or they may not feel like eating at all.
Lack of interest
Your child may show a lack of interest in things, toys or games they normally enjoy. They may not want to play with friends or take part in extracurricular activities they usually love.
Difficulty concentrating
SAD can cause children to lack their usual motivation, which can affect school work and performance during the winter. Have you noticed a change in your child's school grades during these months? Or perhaps you've noticed they feel more motivated to complete their school work in the summer.
Outbursts or tantrums
Children struggle to communicate their emotions and this can come out in outbursts of anger or tantrums. If your child is regularly displaying outbursts or feel like they lose control in certain situations, it's important to work with them to get to the root cause.
Tiredness or difficulty sleeping
Children with SAD may experience unusual tiredness or unexplained fatigue. As a result, they may sleep a lot more than usual. This can make it really difficult to get up for school in the morning, stay awake during school or even complete their normal activities. Equally, you may find that a child with SAD may have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep.
Clinginess
SAD can often experience bouts of separation anxiety during winter, especially when children have to leave the comforts of their caregiver.
It's important to remember that lots of us experience changes in our mood during seasonal changes, but this doesn't necessarily mean we have SAD. If you think you or your child have SAD, the best thing to do is make an appointment to discuss your symptoms with your GP.
Sources / More information:
What Parents Need To Know About SAD:
Does My Child Have SAD?
Tips For Coping With SAD:
NHS Seasonal Affective Disorder:
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