The most wonderful time of the year...?

 The most wonderful time of the year?

Multi coloured lights are all around, glitter, tinsel, bright colours and seasonal treats are spilling out the doors. Sounds like the best times, however it’s not always that way for everyone.

Something that is well known to affect people around this time of year is Seasonal Depression, or as it’s more commonly known, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and while it can occur in any season, it is most common during the winter months. In the UK alone it is believed that between 0.5 - 2.4% of the population suffers from this, that’s anywhere from 268,000 to 1.6 million people, and that’s the ones that we know about.

While symptoms that you would find in general depression and other mental health diagnoses such as low mood, difficulties sleeping, changes in appetite, not wanting to be around people, loss of interest in things that normally bring you joy and possible suicidal ideations; chances are that if it consistently happens around the same time of the year then you could have SAD (though DRs may check for thyroid issues first).

So what are the causes of SAD? Well it could be a couple of things. Lack of sunlight can cause our body clocks to be out of rhythm which can lead to your normal sleep patterns to be disrupted leading to tiredness and depression. Another possible cause is light, specifically sunlight, sunlight is linked to helping raise levels of serotonin (the so called happy chemical), while darkness is attributed with helping the body to produce melatonin (which helps you get ready to sleep) during the winter months, especially in countries with less sunlight, these increased levels of melatonin and decreased levels of serotonin can affect the brain chemistry which results in higher rates of depressive moods. Finally it is thought that the weather itself, cold, wet, dreary, can affect SAD although there isn’t much research into this specific area.

Types of treatments for SAD via the NHS include talking therapies, medications for depression (most likely to be SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors which blocks the nerve cells from absorbing serotonin allowing it to have a longer effect on the brain and body). Another type of treatment is light therapy, this can involve using a lamp or alarm clock that simulates the dawn light or boxes and devices that give off a strong light to help decrease the body’s production of melatonin. Access to light therapy through the NHS is limited as there isn’t much scientific evidence to show that light therapy works, so most people tend to buy their own equipment which can be expensive.


There could also be other reasons why people don’t get caught up in the Christmas spirit. For many, Christmas can be a time where they feel more isolated than ever, especially if they have strained or no relationships with their family or friends, with pictures and adverts of happy family gatherings and meals with everyone around the table are in abundance. Many people can also carry trauma from any deaths or impactful events that may have occurred around this time of the year. 

Another trauma inducing reason for people to shy away from this time of year is the sharp increase in domestic violence incidents and while the general number of incidents are reported with women and children as being the victims it is important to note that men can also be victims of domestic abuse. Police frequently note spikes in domestic violence calls on Christmas day, compared to the annual average. Reasons for the increase of domestic violence at this time include:

• Increased alcohol consumption
• Increased financial stress, particularly during times of recession or austerity measures
• Close proximity with more people being at home
• Lack of access to safe spaces with holidays and school closures, leaving fewer places for victims to escape

If you are struggling with any of the things mentioned above there are many resources you can access:

Mental Health Support:

GPs - especially if you suspect you may be suffering with SAD)

999 or A&E - if you or someone you know feels like they are in imminent danger of acting on suicidal ideation

111 (NHS helpline)

​Samaritans Tel - 116123

Local Mental Health services

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/

Tough To Talk - https://www.toughtotalk.com/support-mens-mental-health?https://www.toughtotalk.com/support-mens-mental-health&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Donate%20To%20Charity%20-%20September%202025&utm_adgroup=Mental%20Health%20Charity%20Donations%20-%20EM&utm_keyword=donate%20to%20men%27s%20mental%20health&utm_device=c&utm_placement=&utm_matchtype=b&utm_campaignid=22979170249&utm_adgroupid=188492013074&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Y7KBhCkARIsAOxhqtMoWJEAXgdHZZBSbLpccUVXzlCjrnYmDkL4desOa6ILyjmi6OUidTsaAjLvEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22979170249&gbraid=0AAAABBFarpfP3tTGCUXC88NcXfPUrBmif&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Y7KBhCkARIsAOxhqtMoWJEAXgdHZZBSbLpccUVXzlCjrnYmDkL4desOa6ILyjmi6OUidTsaAjLvEALw_wcB

Shout - https://giveusashout.org/


Domestic Abuse Support:

Citizens Advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/gender-violence/domestic-violence-and-abuse-getting-help/

National Aid Helpline - https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Victim Support - https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/domestic-abuse/

Refuge - https://refuge.org.uk/i-need-help-now/how-we-can-help-you/national-domestic-abuse-helpline/
Tel -08082000247

NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/types-of-abuse/domestic-abuse/

Bernado’s - https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-parents-and-carers/child-abuse-and-harm/children-affected-domestic-abuse-violence

Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk/
Tel - 08001111

Respect (Mens Advice Line) - https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

ManKind - https://mankind.org.uk/

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