Some people experience symptoms of depression during the Winter months, with symptoms subsiding during the Spring and Summer months. These symptoms may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a mood disorder assocciated with depression and related to seasonal variations of light. SAD affects half a million people every Winter between September and April, peaking in December, January and February. The "Winter Blues", a milder form of SAD, may affect even more people.
Signs and Symptoms
Depression: misery, guilt, loss of self-esteem, hopelessness, despair, and apathy
Anxiety: tension and inability to tolerate stress
Mood changes: extremes of mood and, in some, periods of mania in Spring and Summer
Lethargy: feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out your norma routine
Overeating: craving for starchy and sweet foods resulting in weight gain
Social problems: irritabilty and desire to avoid social contact
Sexual problems: loss of libido and decreased interest in physical contact
Causes
Researchers believe that people with SAD are affected by the seasonal variation of light. Shorter days (more darkness) may disrupt our internal clock. Additionally, shorter and darker days may increase production of the hormone melatonin, a sleep related hormone which may cause symptoms of depression.
Treatment
Light therapy (phototherapy) has been shown to supress the brain's secretion of melatonin therefore relieving seasonal depression in up to 85 percent of diagnosed cases. The device most often used today is a bank of white fluorescent lights on a mental reflector and shield with a plastic screen. For mild symptoms, spending time outdoors during the day or arranging homes and workplaces to recieve more sunlight may be helpful. If phototherapy does not work, an antidepressant drug may prove effective in reducing or eliminating symptoms.
As with any health concern discuss your symptoms thoroughly with your family doctor and/or a mental health professional.
Coping and Support
You can take action to help cope with SAD. Here are tips to help you manage the condition, in conjuction with your doctor or mental health provider:
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Stick to your treatment plan. Take medications as directed and attend therapy appointments as scheduled.
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Let there be light. Make your home sunnier and brighter. Open blinds, add skylights and trim tree branches that block sunlight.
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Get out. Get outdoors on sunny days, even during winter. Take a long walk, eat lunch at a nearby park or simply sit peacefully on a bench and soak up the sun.
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Exercise regularly. Physical exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety, both of which can increase SAD symptoms. Being more fit can make you feel better about yourself, too, which can lift your mood.
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Take care of youreself. Get enough rest, eat a balanced diet and take time to relax. Don't turn to alcohol or unprescribed drugs for relief.
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Practice stress managment. Learn how to better manage stress. Unmanaged stress can lead to depression, overeating, or other unhealthy thoughts and behaviors.
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Socialize. Stay connected with people you enjoy being around. They can offer support, a shoulder to cry on or a joke to give you a little boost.
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Take a trip. If possible, take winter vacations in sunny, warm locations.
Source: Mayo Clinic
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