AS we enter autumn with the rapid loss of daylight hours, General Practice is seeing a surge in the number of patients struggling with symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that is adversely affecting their quality of life and ability to fulfil activities of daily living.

SAD is common and affects approximately five per cent of the UK population.

I’d like to reach out to patients within our community to empower them on what they need to know about SAD and how to seek help.

SAD is a mood disorder characterised by recurrent depressive episodes with a seasonal pattern.

It typically starts in late autumn or winter and remits by spring or summer.

The underlying cause of SAD is incompletely understood, however, research has shown that a lack of sunlight can affect how a part of the brain called the hypothalamus works.

This can increase the levels of a hormone called melatonin which is responsible for regulating your day-night cycle and makes you feel sleepy.

Additionally, a lack of sunlight can lead to lower levels of another hormone called serotonin which is linked to feelings of depression. There is also some evidence to suggest that SAD may in part be genetic and run in families.

Symptoms of SAD can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in everyday activities, irritability, feelings of worthlessness and despair, lacking in energy, sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning, a reduced sex drive, food cravings especially for sweet snacks with associated weight gain and difficulty concentrating.

Diagnosing SAD can be challenging.

The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), which looks at how the seasons may change our mood and behaviour, can help, however, in general a diagnosis of SAD can usually be confirmed if your depression occurs in the autumn and winter months each year for at least two years followed by recovery in the spring and summer months.

Patients can be reassured that there are lots of effective treatments to help and support them. These include lifestyle modifications.

This can be as simple as getting out for a 30-minute walk in the morning, having breakfast by a window and exposing yourself to light each morning.

Light therapy, which involves using a special lamp called a light box that mimics sunlight exposure, has been found to be a very effective treatment for SAD.

Some patients find counselling helpful and in few cases antidepressant medication can have a role in helping patients get better.

Anyone concerned about SAD should consult with their GP.

Our columnist Dr Jason Seewoodhary is a former Worcester GP.