BBC star Monty Don’s struggle with ‘unbearable’ health condition explained – the 9 signs you’re at risk
BBC’S Monty Don has opened up about suffering from a little-known disorder which rears its ugly head each time the colder months set in.
The Gardeners’ World host described the health issue as feeling like “the world is pressing in on you,” while also sapping his energy.
Speaking on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast last year, the now 69-year-old said: “I was long ago diagnosed with SAD,”
“November and December are always the worst time for me – I can’t bear them.”
He added: “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”.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that’s brought on by seasonal change.
It’s sometimes even referred to as ‘winter depression’ as this is when symptoms are most apparent and debilitating.
The condition, which affects around one in 20 of us in the UK, can bring with it not only depression but exhaustion, irritability and sleep issues, according to the NHS.
Full list of the 9 possible symptoms of SAD:
- A persistent low mood
- Loss of pleasure or interest in normal activities
- Irritability
- Feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
- Feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
- Sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
- Craving carbohydrates and gaining weight
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased sex drive
The causes are unclear but we know a lack of daylight can have a big impact on mood, especially during the autumn and winter, explains Stephen Buckley, from mental health charity Mind.
“When light hits the back of the eye, messages are passed to the part of the brain responsible for sleep, appetite, sex drive, temperature, mood and activity,” he says.
“If there’s not enough light, these functions will slow down and gradually stop.
“Some research suggests a disrupted body clock may also play a role if it’s out of sync with daylight, leading to tiredness and depression.”
Lots of people find their mood or energy levels drop when it gets colder or warmer but for those with SAD, these changes have a much greater impact on day-to-day life.
At one point, Monty’s condition worsened to such an extent that his wife Sarah gave him an ultimatum due to the strain his moods were placing on her.
On the podcast, Monty reportedly continued: “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 – I’ll take the children and I’ll go’.
Monty has since begun using a lightbox to lessen the effect of seasonal changes on his mood.
Adele's seasonal affective disorder
Adele has revealed she suffers from seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, which makes it difficult for her to live in the UK
She told The Hollywood Reporter she loves living in LA – in no small part thanks to the weather.
“I get really bad seasonal depression, so the weather is good for me here.
“It is strange sometimes because I’m very British.”
While scientific evidence on the effectiveness of light therapy is limited, some experts suggest it can trigger a positive chemical change in the brain when used particularly in the morning.
While speaking to Times Radio 2022, the star credited gardening with helping him manage his low moods.
During the 80s, Monty said he visited a Chinese herbalist who told him the “cure” for his low mood was to “go back to the land”.
“You’re someone who needs to work with the land and you love gardening and love the soil,” Monty said he was told.
The presenter was initially hesitant to give up his business.
But “he [the herbalist] was absolutely right,” Monty said.