My Autism Insights

image courtesy of Jannagraphics

‘Tis the season for Seasonal Affective Disorder!  Thanks to Mo of Manic Monday for the prompt, which made something click in my brain this morning that may explain some things about Gus’s recent behavior.

Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a type of depression that usually strikes during the winter months.  More younger people and women are affected, and it can have an impact on children as well as adults.  This condition is likely caused by the reduction in daylight hours, which alters the body’s circadian rhythms (sleep/wake cycles) and levels of melatonin and serotonin in the body - hormones that affect sleep and mood respectively.

Common symptoms in children may include: mood changes, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, low energy, and trouble concentrating among others.

I bring up the symptoms for children because I think this could be the answer to some of the issues Gus has been having lately and tends to have every winter.  I always knew that he was affected in some way by the colder months, but I never related it to the light, I always thought it was a matter of cold.  However, it’s all making perfect sense - the sudden sleep problems, his waning ability to focus in school, his increasing irritability (especially this past weekend), his disinterest in going out….These could all be individual and unrelated problems, but they could also be related to SAD.  Unfortunately, I was unable to locate studies or statistics about how SAD in autistic individuals.

One of the most common treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder is light therapy.  If light boxes are too expensive, or if it’s not practical to think your child can sit in front of a light box for 30 minutes or so, there are also light visors (also pricey), or you could try full spectrum lighting.  While there is no evidence that this will cure SAD, they are closer to natural lights than standard light bulbs or CFLs.  And they do make full spectrum CFLs if you are energy and environmentally conscientious.

Other means of relief to try: melatonin to help with sleep disturbances (it’s been working pretty well for us so far), outdoor exercise, proper diet (cravings for sweets and carbs is also common), talk therapy, or antidepressants prescribed by a doctor.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to hide this bag of chips, and I’m going to find some full spectrum lights.  Gus may or may not be  seasonally effected, but I definitely am.  Funny how I’m only motivated to do something about it when it might be causing my son a problem.

Have a great day and Happy Monday!

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