Seasonal Affective Disorder in Athletes
by Melinda Burris

This article explores Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as (SAD), and when and how it affects the mental health of those who suffer from this form of depression, particularly athletes.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

So, what exactly is SAD? Although this type of depression can occur at other times of the year, SAD most frequently occurs during the autumn and winter months when the days get shorter as it gets darker earlier in the evenings. Even if you work a traditional eight-hour daytime shift, you quickly notice when the cooler seasons have begun in earnest because the evening is setting before you can complete the homebound commute.¹

Days that begin in darkness and within what seems like a few short hours return to darkness combined with the colder, inclement weather that often occurs during the fall and winter months can make it difficult for anyone to feel especially motivated to get out and go about their normal routine. Although those who suffer from SAD tend to be far less active than usual, the lack of stimulation and energy often causes the person to constantly feel unusually tired.¹ A lack of desire to go out, whether it be to maintain their normal training routine, or simply to go out and socialize with family and friends is not uncommon.

It is important to acknowledge that many of us tend to feel sad from time to time, especially during the winter months due to the short window of daily sunlight. For most, this is a transient feeling that is shaken off after a day or two. The condition is ongoing and far more serious for what scientists approximate to be 5% of people living in the United States.¹ (That’s over 17 million people or one out of every 200 individuals in the U.S. alone who deal with serious seasonal affective disorder depression each year.)

What is the cause of SAD?

Kimberly E Kleinman, Senior Psychologist at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and other mental health professionals like her agree that SAD occurs when “shorter days and less sunlight cause chemical changes in the brain, including increased production of the sleep hormone melatonin, which has been linked to symptoms of depression.”¹ There is also a consensus in the medical community that there is likely a connection between decreased exposure to sunlight and lower levels of vitamin D in the body which has also been linked to depression.

It is important to understand that SAD is a form of clinical depression; this makes it imperative that you know and recognize the symptoms if you or someone you know seems to be grappling with the condition, particularly if it is an ongoing problem.

The Mayo Clinic has compiled a list of common symptoms associated with SAD, which are listed below.²

Symptoms of SAD

1. A marked decrease in energy level.
3. An ongoing sense of sadness that you struggle with most days if not every day.
4. A lack of motivation to participate in anything, even activities you generally enjoy and look forward to participating in.
5. Excess sleepiness.
6. Craving carbohydrates and a tendency to overeat.
7. Weight gain.
8. Difficulty focusing.
9. Negative feelings where you question your value and/or struggle with thoughts of hopelessness and guilt.
10. In severe cases, you may have suicidal thoughts.

Previously, it was established that SAD is a relatively common condition. However, it should not be taken lightly because the symptoms can have serious consequences on an individual’s personal and professional life and in severe cases cause their life to be in danger. If depression or a lack of motivation continues beyond a few days, seeking medical treatment to help alleviate your symptoms is vital to protecting your mental health.¹

Which Athletes Are Most Prone to Suffering from SAD?

A 2016 investigative study released by the British Journal of Sports Medicine concludes approximately 25% of collegiate athletes who took part in the study “reported ‘clinically relevant’ levels of depressive symptoms.” It was noted that female athletes were almost twice as likely to experience symptoms of clinical depression in comparison to their male counterparts.³

Investigators at Drexel University and Kean University conducted a survey-based study with 465 athletes from a Division I school acting as participants. The study lasted more than three years. After careful analysis of the data collected based on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the researchers observed, “Nearly 30 percent of female athletes showed symptoms of depression, compared to 18 percent of male athletes. It is also interesting to note that “Female track and field athletes had the highest prevalence of symptoms.”³

As a result of the findings in studies like this one, the NCAA convention recently released a new set of guidelines concerning the importance of recognizing when college students are struggling with mental health issues. Brian Hainline, the NCAA’s medical chief, stressed that the association takes the mental health of its student-athletes seriously and the issue is a chief concern for the NCAA and its members.⁴ Among other things, the new guidelines stress the importance of having “clearly communicated procedures for referring athletes to qualified practitioners.” Other priorities outlined included educating students on the importance of quality, restorative sleep, self-care, proper stress management, and the ability to recognize common symptoms of mental health disorders and make it easy as possible for them to seek medical intervention when necessary.⁴

Meanwhile, it’s also significant to note that “Nearly 30 percent of female athletes showed symptoms of depression, compared to 18 percent of male athletes…Female track and field athletes had the highest prevalence of symptoms.”

Protect yourself and those you care about by educating yourself and being aware when you sense a change in yourself or others that indicates a loss of interest in the normal routine or a tendency to self-isolate.

References:

Walrath-Holdridge, M. (14 November 2014). Are you SAD? What to know about seasonal affective disorder, treatments as sunlight fades.

The Mayo Clinic. (14 December 2021). Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

New, J. (27 January 2016). Study: 1 in 4 college athletes show signs of depression.

Inside Higher Ed. (13 January 2016). Mental health of college athletes.