Welcome to a special episode of the ADHD experts podcast from Attitude.

Today we are pleased to bring you a feature article from the Winter 2024 issue of Attitude magazine.

To listen to the full issue and receive our spring 2025 issue hot off the presses,

subscribe now at AttitudeMag.com backslash subscribe.

And now for today's story.

Shedding Light on Winter Depression by J.J. Sandra Kooge, MD, Ph.D.

Question. Do people with ADHD experience winter depression more often

and more severely than neurotypical individuals? Also, why is my quality of sleep affected in winter?

Winter depression is marked by two or more weeks of low mood, usually starting in the

Northern Hemisphere's fall or winter, when there is less daylight. That resolves in the spring

or summer when there is more light. There is an association between winter depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder,

or sad, and ADHD. In the Netherlands, where I live, researchers asked 400 patients with

ADHD about seasonal mood swings. 27% reported winter depression compared with 3% in

neurotypical people. Other researchers have confirmed this increased rate among

people with ADHD. What's more, females are four times more likely than males to have winter depression.

Sleep problems are also common among people with ADHD.

About 80% are late sleepers, which means they have a short sleep duration.

They fall asleep at a later time and sleep less because they must wake up for work or for school.

Question, how does winter depression relate to screen addiction in children with ADHD?

Children with ADHD who are late sleepers and who experience winter depression may turn to video games and the internet.

Screens emit blue light, and they're often held close to the eye,

so the effects are similar to light therapy if you're staring at them for a while.

...