Dr John Campbell, a former nursing lecturer, streams to thousands of viewers each week, discussing the latest developments and talking points in health and medicine.
He told the News & Star that Vitamin D supplementation, a wide variety of foods and regular exercise outdoors are amongst the best ways to stave-off SAD.
Dr John Campbell addressing his viewers on a livestream during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Campbell explained that, being a disorder, SAD affects or disrupts normal psychological function.
SAD is a form of depression experienced at certain times of year, particularly in winter when there are less daylight hours and more time is spent in-doors due to cold weather.
Dr Campbell said: “The idea is that most people wouldn’t get this but for some people it reaches a pathological level of disorder.”
A person feeling low. (Image: Unsplash)
The health expert regularly prompts the use of Vitamin D to his viewers, advocating that it should be prescribed on the NHS due to its affects against a variety of health conditions.
He said that lower Vitamin D levels in the winter months could be a factor in the experience of SAD.
Dr Campbell said: “Some of my mates say, ‘I don’t feel right in winter, David. My thinking’s a bit groggy.”
He suggests to increase their dosage of Vitamin D through supplementation and they all see a marked improvement.
A GP writing-out a prescription. (Image: PA)
Dr Campbell said: “Exercise is important, being outside. Exercise is important year-round for affective status.”
He also advises that a healthy diet includes “adequate protein, a wide variety of foods for your microbiome.”
Dr Campbell also advised caution around alcohol intake, “not using the early evenings to have a drink at 4pm.”
Dr Campbell said that some people may need medical treatment to mitigate the affects of SAD.
PHQ-9 is a patient health questionnaire used by medical professionals to diagnose depression which Dr Campbell said could help to spot any changes in mood after the seasons change.
A person receiving talking therapy. (Image: Unsplash)
Dr Campbell said: “People could do those scales in the middle of summer and then do them on February 1 and see if they get different ratings and that would show if they’re predisposed to SAD.
If you were clearly not depressed in summer “and you used PHQ9 and were depressed in winter, that would be one way of diagnosing SAD.”
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Dr Campbell said that patients could then visit their GP, equipped with data on how their mood has changed.
For some, the lifestyle changes mentioned will not be enough to address SAD and they may need medical help.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) may be prescribed to those who need further help with low mood.
SSRIs are a form of anti-depressant which increase serotonin levels in the brain and are usually prescribed alongside talking therapy.