Every year, starting in the next few months, millions of people experience a condition known as “seasonal affective disorder,” which typically we call either “SAD” or “Seasonal Depression.” It is exactly as the name implies – a type of depression that occurs primarily during a specific season, almost always the darker winter months.
It’s unclear why some people develop seasonal depression and not others. We know that it’s linked to sunlight, poor coping skills, even trouble around the holidays – but nearly anyone can be at risk, and it tends to be recurring. If you get seasonal depression one year, you are likely to get it the next year without treatment.
There are also some risk factors for seasonal depression, and one risk factor that many people are unaware of is ADHD.
Why Might ADHD Be a Risk Factor for SAD?
Exactly why there is a link between ADHD and seasonal affective disorder is also still not entirely clear. But some experts put the risk at as much as 2x or more, and since both ADHD and seasonal depression are often underdiagnosed, the actual numbers could be higher. Some of the reasons proposed for why these might be linked include:
- Trouble with Dopamine Regulation – Dopamine is one of the most important neurochemicals for mood, and a potential cause of seasonal depression. Sunlight helps with dopamine production. Dopamine is also naturally lower in children, teens, and adults with ADHD. Since it is already starting at a lower point, the lack of sunlight may cause further disruptions and make those with ADHD more likely to have ADHD symptoms.
- Sleep Challenges – Sleep plays a very important role in managing depression symptoms. Those with ADHD are more likely to have irregular sleep cycles. During the winter months, when people get less sunlight, circadian rhythms are even more likely to be disrupted. His puts people at greater risk for depression during this time period.
- Routines and Self Care – Most of us, even without realizing it, have things that we do to take care of our mental health. Kids move around, exercise, play outside. We see friends. We engage in activities like sports and other hobbies. Many of these decrease in frequency during the winter, especially for kids, and this can also increase vulnerability to seasonal depression.
There may be other factors as well. The discovery of this link is new, which means more links between ADHD and SAD may be discovered in the future.
Mental Health, Coaching, and More for ADHD/SAD
Both seasonal depression and ADHD are conditions linked to issues relatively outside of our direct control. We can’t stop winter, and we cannot stop or reverse the neurodevelopmental changes related to ADHD. But both do respond well to therapy, coaching, and related mental health services.
If you’re a parent of someone with ADHD – or you have ADHD yourself – it is a good idea to see if feelings and emotions change during this period of time, and if they do, consider reaching out to Right Path Counseling for mental health services and support. We have programs specifically for those with ADHD, therapy for seasonal depression, and much more. Give us a call today for more information.