JACKSON – Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is more than just the winter blues. It is a type of depression that occurs during one season, typically the winter months, and goes away during the rest of the year.

When daylight hours start to decrease at the end of summer, people who are more sensitive to the seasonal time change may start to experience symptoms as soon as late August or early September. Others may not develop symptoms until November or December.

Symptoms of SAD are the same as those of depression. They can vary in severity and often interfere with personal relationships. Symptoms include fatigue, pervasively sad mood, loss of interest, sleep difficulty or excessive sleeping, craving and eating more starches and sweets, weight gain, feelings of hopelessness or despair and thoughts of suicide.

According to recent research on SAD put out by the Mayo Clinic and researchers in this area, 1) about 5 percent of the U.S. population experiences seasonal depression, 2) four out of five people who have seasonal depression are women, and, 3) the main age of onset of seasonal depression is between 20 and 30 years of age, however symptoms can appear earlier.

APA and Mississippi Psychological Association offer these tips to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder:

Experience as much daylight as possible. The lack of sun exposure is part of what causes SAD and soaking up as much as you can, can lessen your symptoms. Sit by a window or get out for a walk during daylight hours. You could even take up a winter sport to get you outside and keep you moving.

Eat healthy. Comfort foods don’t have to be loaded with extra calories and lots of sugar and fat. Get creative and look for hearty, low-calorie recipes that are easy to prepare. Instead of eating cake and cookies, try making a dessert from seasonal fruits like apples and pears.

Spend time with friends and family. Spending time with your friends and family is a great way to lift your spirits and avoid social isolation. Snuggle with your kids or pets; visit with your friends while drinking a hot cup of tea or play board games with your family. Friends and family can be good to talk to about how the season is affecting you.

Counteract the urge to isolate. Don’t stay cooped up in your house all winter. Get out and enjoy your community this season. Volunteer, join a local club or go ice skating with your loved ones to start.

Seek professional help. If you continue to struggle with feelings of depression, you may want to seek help from a mental health professional, such as a psychologist. Research shows that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression. A psychologist can help determine if someone has seasonal affective disorder and how best to treat it.

To learn more about seasonal affective disorder, and other mental health related issues, visit the American Psychological Association at www.apa.org/helpcenter and follow @APAHelpCenter. To find out more about Mississippi Psychological Association, visit http://mpassoc.org and follow @MissPsychAssn.

Rodney T. Wilson, Ph.D., is a member of the Mississippi Psychological Association.