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Benefits and Pensions MonitorSAD: More Than The ‘Winter Blues’By: Estelle Morrison For one to three per cent of Canadians, winter’s shorter days can trigger the onset of a mood disorder. Estelle Morrison, of Ceridian Canada, examines the consequences for employers of SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. Angela is a 29-year-old, working mother. In the spring and summer months, she runs regularly, enjoys entertaining friends and family, and volunteers for the local food bank in addition to her work as a hospital technician and parenting an active threeyear- old boy. When late fall approaches, Angela’s life alters dramatically. She struggles to get out of bed in the morning, withdraws from social activities, gains 15 to 20 pounds, and barely gets through her work day, experiencing a noticeable reduction in both the amount and quality of work. She refers to it as the ‘winter blues’ and knows that she will feel better in the spring, believing that she just needs to ‘tough it out’. The reality is Angela may be living with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For some, when the occasional ‘winter blues’ set in, an invigorating workout or a mid-season escape to a warmer climate can be just the remedy to counteract the lethargy and the downward shift in our mood. But, for one to three per cent of the general population, or more than 600,000 Canadians, winter can be an extremely difficult season, when the shorter day length triggers the onset of a mood disorder – SAD. SAD can be a debilitating condition that can prevent sufferers from functioning at their best, reducing their level of concentration to the point that they have difficulty performing at work and at home. Although there is no confirmed cause, SAD is thought to be due to seasonal variations in light.1 During the winter months, the sun sets earlier each day, limiting our exposure to natural light. The decreasing hours of sunlight brought on by the changing season puts us out of step with our circadian rhythms, or daily schedules. Other research indicates that neuro-transmitters – chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate sleep, mood, and appetite – may be disturbed in SAD sufferers. The exact causes are unknown, but researchers do know that SAD is not a psychosomatic or imaginary illness. SAD can occur in children and teenagers, but most often occurs in individuals over the age of 20 – those entering their prime working years. It is more common in women than men, in residents of northern countries with harsher winters, and it can be a particular concern for shift workers who typically have less exposure to natural light than their ‘9-to-5’ counterparts.
Symptoms Of SAD A predominant feature of SAD is its cyclic nature. Typically, symptoms begin late fall/early winter and will dissipate either gradually or suddenly in early to late spring. Some SAD symptoms are similar to other types of clinical depression such as low mood, social withdrawal, decreased concentration, low energy and fatigue, and irritability, rendering SAD difficult to diagnose in some cases. When no other cause for the shift in mood is identified, two consecutive winters of depressive episodes lead clinicians to a diagnosis of SAD. SAD sufferers may also have the specific symptoms of:
Those living with SAD can be profoundly affected. Their listlessness and depressive thoughts result in decreased productivity, ‘presenteeism,’ and increased absenteeism and disability claims. Some of the more simple steps that SAD sufferers can undertake to reduce their symptoms include increasing their level of outdoor activity and rearranging their environments to receive maximum sunlight. Impact On The Workplace As employers, being aware of the symptoms of SAD and the ways in which it can be treated can help you to guard against the reduced productivity that can result from poor employee health.
Estelle Morrison is director, LifeWorks Strategic Solutions, at Ceridian Canada (estelle_ morrison@ceridian.ca). 1. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Canadian Mental Health Association. www.cmha.ca |
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