Doctor's warning over medical condition plaguing BBC's Monty Don
A doctor has issued a warning over a common condition many people may not be aware they suffer with. Around one in 20 people in the UK are diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) but due to its nature, many people may not know they have the condition and may dismiss its symptoms.
BBC Gardeners' World host Monty Don suffers with SAD, with his depression once becoming so bad his wife Sarah said she would leave him if she didn't get help. The 69-year-old previously told Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast: "I was long ago diagnosed with SAD, there's no question about it, that November and December are always the worst time for me. I can't bear them.
"It's a lot to do with the greyness, the lack of light and the general sense of the world just pressing in on you and no energy." He added: "Sarah said to me, 'Look, I just can't take any longer your moods and your black depression, you've got to do something about it because if you don't, I can't live with you."
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SAD is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern, which can also be known as "winter depression". This is due to the fact that symptoms, such as a persistent low mood and feeling sleepier than usual, are more apparent and more severe during the winter months, as reported by the Express.
Monty said he sought help from a doctor who put him on anti-depressants, but he later gave them up and started to use a light box, which helps transition between the seasons. Monty also credits gardening as a good way to boost his mood, as well as spending time with his loved ones and dogs.
With temperatures gradually decreasing and the sun setting earlier, Dr Dawn Harper has stressed the importance of getting as much daylight as possible. Additionally, she recommends regular exercise to increase your motivation in the winter months, as well as a Vitamin D supplement.
For those needing extra help, Dr Harper suggests taking Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to boost serotonin levels. She warns however that these can take a couple of weeks to kick in, so it's best to speak to your doctor sooner rather than later.