Do Your Kids Have the ‘Winter Blues’?
As the calendar flips into the winter months again, many of us may been thinking back to the warm summer days spent in the garden. Instead of enjoying the outdoors, winter means avoiding the 5oC Arctic-like conditions of the UK. Unfortunately for many of us, it’s not just the temperature that drops, but our moods too. The sun gives us a natural boost of vitamin D at a level that is difficult to match simply by food alone. Without using vitamin D3 supplements it can leave the majority of us without sufficient levels of the vitamin responsible for healthy bone and cell growth and illness resistance.
Let’s take a look at how we can help our kids who may be affected by seasonal affective disorder.
What is seasonal affective disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is defined as a “depression associated with late autumn and winter and thought to be caused by lack of light”. So, the dark cloud above our heads is caused by the dark clouds above! It’s said to occur when your body’s internal clock and your brain and body’s chemicals all change.
December, January, and February are the worst part of the year for these ‘winter blues’. The NHS estimates that for every 15 UK residents one will be affected by SAD each year. The most common age group to suffer from SAD is those between 18 and 30 years old, with females the most likely to be affected, but it can begin at any age and to any gender.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
The ability to tell how you or your kids and friends are feeling is essential and, if you can spot their struggles early, then they can get supported through this naturally tough period.
The symptoms are as follows:
Being lethargic
Sleep issues — normally oversleeping and struggling to stay awake
Depression
Overeating — particularly carbohydrates and sweet foods
Social issues, including withdrawal from social situations
Loss of motivation
Increased anxiety
A persistent low mood
Weakened immune system
Lack of interest in activities which were previously enjoyable
SAD in children
Children in school are often rowdy in general, but this will only increase across the winter months. Their results may slip, and they may have less of an urge to play and can seclude themselves. Remember, your child may not be able to realise they have this condition or tell you how they are feeling.
If you have any suspicion of SAD in your child, make an appointment with a doctor. This way, they will be able to thoroughly check your child over and rule out any other possible reasons for the symptoms they are experiencing. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that the condition should receive the same treatment as other types of depression.
We all need to realise the symptoms aren’t behavioural but purely down to chemistry. It’s important you are supportive and non-judgmental to aid recovery. Taking a little more time with them so they feel loved as well as being patient with them is also important to the treatment, as is eating healthy and maintaining a regular sleep pattern. By looking after their lifestyle habits, you will cut their stress levels which will help to ease the pressure faced from SAD.
The same treatments for adults aren’t proven to work or to be suitable for children. Instead, try to ensure that your children are outside in natural sunlight when possible. If your child is put on antidepressants, make sure you are vigilant for any changes in behaviour and keep in regular contact with your doctor.
If this isn’t enough, a great method to consider are vitamin D supplements. Research in the area of vitamin D and depression is rapidly growing, with some studies highlighting a potential link between the two. Vitamin D is vital for general health including immunity, muscle function, and bone density.
Dr Cindy Gellner, paediatrician, advises guardians to “take their symptoms seriously. If your child has been diagnosed with SAD, talk about their feelings as they let you, and remind them that even though things may seem impossible right now, things will be better in the spring.”
Make sure you are aware of your child’s behaviour and any changes to their activities during these coming months. Remember, as is the case for many issues, with SAD in kids, if in doubt check it out.
Sources
https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_drtopkx9
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/treatment/