The cold, dark days of winter can be tough on everyone, but mental health experts say the season’s effects on adolescents often go unrecognized.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression linked to reduced daylight and seasonal changes.
In teens, SAD can show up as difficulty getting out of bed, struggling at school or losing interest in favorite activities. These symptoms are sometimes dismissed as normal teenage behavior.
“Some of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder can get attributed to other things. And so it can remain invisible in adolescence,” said Eileen Anderson, an associate professor and director of Bioethics and Medical Humanities at Case Western Reserve University.
Anderson said limited exposure to sunlight in winter months can disrupt circadian rhythms — affecting mood, energy and even appetite. But she said keeping a consistent sleep schedule and getting morning light, through sunlight or light therapy, can help.
“Some of the things that are really good to do for seasonal affective disorder, they’re actually really good for everybody to do, whether it’s checking your vitamin D levels or making sure that you get some kind of hit of bright light, particularly in the morning,” she said.
Even short bursts of movement, like a 15-minute outdoor walk or indoor exercise, can help improve mood, Anderson said.
Social activities, including participating in team sports or yoga classes, can provide much-needed structure and connection.
“If we’re thinking about physical activity or… trying to be proactive about social engagements, all of (those) are good for adolescents anyway,” she said.
If symptoms persist, Anderson said parents should reach out to a pediatrician or mental health professional.
Other resources in Northeast Ohio including Help Me Grow and child advocacy centers in Cleveland. Hospital units that connect families with services may be a point of contact for parents, she said. These programs often operate on a sliding scale or free of charge and can help families navigate developmental and mental health needs.