Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression is a psychological disorder that affects people throughout a specific season, most commonly during the winter. Seasonal depression is also known as SAD, which stands for seasonal affective disorder. This type of depression affects people nearly every year during the winter months and sometimes, albeit rarely, during the summers. Some also suffering from this disorder during fall and spring, but again, it is far less common.

This condition can affect both genders, but is generally far more common among women. In fact, women comprise of two thirds of patients suffering from seasonal depression.

Causes of Seasonal Depression

Research is currently not conclusive, but it is believed that seasonal depression is trigerred due to a lack of sunlight. The body’s diurnal clock is used to receiving sunshine and natural light. During the winter, the amount of natural light received is greatly reduced, which can lead to depression in two ways: a hormonal imbalance as well as changes in secretion and reception of neurotransmitters.

Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Several of the symptoms of seasonal depression are similar to those of general depression. Below are some of the common symptoms experienced by those suffering from seasonal depression:

  • Loss of interest in activities which used to be enjoyable
  • Loss of libido
  • Sluggishness
  • Generalized fatigue
  • Lack of energy
  • Wanting to stay away from friends and family, feeling out of place in social situations
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Increase or decrease in appetite leading to subsequent increase or decrease in body weight
  • Disturbed sleep cycle or lack of sleep
  • Insomnia or inability to sleep

Symptoms which are common among those suffering from this type of depression include:

Increased/decreased weight – While people suffering from depression during the winters tend seasonal depressionto gain weight, those whose seasonal depression happens during the summers tend to lose weight.

Change in appetite - Weight changes generally happen due to changes in eating habits. People who suffer from seasonal depression during the summers tend to not feel hungry for long periods of time, and subsequently lose weight. On the other hand, people who suffer from winter seasonal depression show a markedly increased appetite.

Change in sleep pattern – Those affected by seasonal depression during the winters tend to oversleep and find themselves wanting and in fact needing more and more sleep. On the other hand, those who suffer from seasonal depression during the summer months find it difficult to sleep and often suffer from insomnia.

Some of the other symptoms of seasonal depression that seem to affect people only during the winters are:

  • Anti social tendencies
  • Wanting to stay away from people, seeking solace in solitude
  • Generalized fatigue
  • Decreased libido and stamina
  • Plummeting energy levels and reduced desire to work
  • Difficulty concentrating on tasks

Seasonal Depression Diagnosis

Seasonal affective disorder can only be diagnosed by a mental health specialist. Based on any symptoms the patient indicates they are noticing, a specialist will determine an accurate diagnosis. It is important to keep in mind that seasonal affective disorder is far different from the ‘winter blues’. Comparatively, seasonal depression is serious and requires the attention of a specialist.

Seasonal Depression Treatment

The treatment for seasonal affective disorder is generally involves a combination of two methods. Medication is used in conjunction with mental therapy. Generally, antidepressants are prescribed and are quite effective in the treatment process. However, sometimes light therapy is chosen as the primary treatment path. In fact, nowadays more and more specialists are leaning towards the use of light therapy as the primary treatment for seasonal affective disorder. This is in sync with the school of medicine that favours treatment of a disease by attacking the sole cause of the problem, and the underlying cause for seasonal affective disorder seems to be a lack of sunlight.

Light treatment is usually completed during morning hours to avoid insomnia. This treatment, also known as photo treatment, aims to expose the affected individual to a predetermined intensity of white fluorescent light.

Seasonal Depression Prevention

Regular exercise and eating healthy have been proven to lower the chances of suffering from seasonal depression.