SAD is rare in Australia, but many Australians report that they feel flat and lethargic in winter. If you have symptoms that don't go away and are affecting your everyday life, it's important to see a doctor.
SAD occurs much more often in women than in men, and it is more common in those living farther north, where there are shorter daylight hours in the winter. For example, people living in Alaska or New England may be more likely to develop SAD than people living in Florida.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time each year. Although it can occur in spring or summer, it typically begins in late fall and lasts through the end of winter.
Over 8 million (about 32%) Australians reported that they had been diagnosed with a long-term health condition, with 2.2 million (about 9%) reporting a Mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) (ABS 2022b).
The depression, which saw real GDP fall 17 per cent over 1892 and 1893, and the accompanying financial crisis, which reached a peak in 1893, were the most severe in Australia's history.
Depression is known to run in families, suggesting that genetic factors contribute to the risk of developing this disease. However, research into the genetics of depression is in its early stages, and very little is known for certain about the genetic basis of the disease.
Mental illness in Australia
One in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. The most common mental illnesses are depressive, anxiety and substance use disorder. These three types of mental illnesses often occur in combination.
Anxiety disorders was the most prevalent disorder group among females, and more common in the 12–17 years age group.
Sadness- Certain activities do not seem enjoyable to you anymore. Depression- Everything you do is less enjoyable. Depression: Significant weight gain or loss and/or increase or decrease of appetite without an increase in daily activity. Sadness- Mild sleep disturbance for a short time.
Common sadness triggers:
Endings and goodbyes. Sickness or death of a loved one. The loss of some aspect of identity (e.g., during times of transition at home, work, life stages) Being disappointed by an unexpected outcome (e.g., not receiving a raise at work when you expected it)
SAD is four times more common in women than in men. Although some children and teenagers get SAD, it usually doesn't start in people younger than age 20. Your chance of getting SAD goes down as you get older. SAD is also more common the farther north you go.
Even a lack of sleep or feeling hungry can put you in a sour mood some days. In other cases, there might be a deeper cause. Factors like depression, trauma, grief, and hormonal changes can affect your mood without your conscious awareness for years, yet they may affect your emotions every day.
Impacting an estimated 300 million people, depression is the most-common mental disorder and generally affects women more often than men.
By all accounts, serious mental illnesses include “schizophrenia-spectrum disorders,” “severe bipolar disorder,” and “severe major depression” as specifically and narrowly defined in DSM. People with those disorders comprise the bulk of those with serious mental illness.
Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80% and 90% percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.
Mental illnesses can be covered by the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act. It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their disability. There are some limited exceptions and exemptions.
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Depression can occur at any age.
Anxiety conditions affect 1 in 4 people in Australia and they are treatable.
Personality. You may be more vulnerable to depression if you have certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly self-critical. This may be because of the genes you've inherited from your parents, your early life experiences, or both.
Most researchers conclude that anxiety is genetic but can also be influenced by environmental factors. In other words, it's possible to have anxiety without it running in your family. There is a lot about the link between genes and anxiety disorders that we don't understand, and more research is needed.
Your genes may make you more prone to cry, and if you cry easily you are at higher odds to have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.