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Recognizing Symptoms of SAD in Kids
Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is something we think more about with adults, but kids can also get this. Sometimes it takes a year or two to figure out the pattern. Kids are more depressed in the fall and winter when there's more darkness because the days are shorter. And when spring and summer come and there's more light, their symptoms improve.
SAD presents in kids with mood changes, like being cranky, upset easily, or hopeless. They may be harder on themselves and feel negative about life. They may not want to do things they normally would enjoy. They're tired all the time and seem to sleep a lot more. Eating patterns change, either wanting to eat more junk food, overeating, or they don't feel hungry at all.
Kids will have a hard time focusing and be fidgety. This often correlates with difficulty in school. And parents and teachers will think the kid needs to be evaluated for new-onset ADHD, but it's not ADHD. It's a form of depression. Finally, some kids with SAD get really bad and have thoughts of hurting themselves.
While we don't know why kids get seasonal affective disorder, one theory is that their brains react differently to decreased daylight hours. See sunlight affects serotonin and melatonin. Light increases serotonin production, and serotonin is the happy hormone. The more you have, the happier you are. Lower levels trigger depression symptoms. And with melatonin, when the sun goes down, melatonin goes up. Melatonin makes people sleepy, which is why we often recommend it when kids have a hard time sleeping.
Effective Treatments for Children with SAD
So how is SAD treated? One way is actually light therapy. Kids can spend more time outside during daylight hours, or you can purchase special light boxes that sit on a desk. My sister lives in Alaska, and she says almost every household has a lightbox because SAD is so prevalent there. I even got a lightbox for my son when we figured out he had some SAD symptoms. If your child is really struggling, then it's time to get a therapist involved for some cognitive behavior therapy. Finally, some kids need antidepressants to help balance those brain chemicals.
When to Seek Professional Help for Your Child's SAD
On the positive side, once you figure out your child may have seasonal affective disorder, you can be proactive every fall and start working on ways to help during the shorter daylight hours times. If your child or teen has SAD, explain to them that it's seasonal. So even though it could happen each year, there are things that they can do before the dark, shorter daylight hours to help them prepare. Talk about how SAD will get better even though it may seem hard right now. If your child doesn't perk up once spring and summer arrive, it might be full-on depression and not seasonal. Talking to your child's doctor can help you figure this out and can help get your child into a mental health provider for treatment.
More Answers to Your Questions on Keeping Your Kid Healthy and Happy
Latest trends and issues in children's health with pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner.
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