Seasonal Depression: What You Need to Know.
Are you feeling blue as the days get shorter and the temperature drops? If so, you may suffer from seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Seasonal depression occurs yearly, with onset usually when the seasons change and the weather starts to get colder.
If you think you may have SAD, you must talk to your doctor. Treatment options are available and can help improve your symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about seasonal depression and when to seek treatment.
Defining Seasonal Depression: How Does it Differ from Other Types of Depression?
Seasonal depression is related to changes in seasons. SAD affects about 3% or more of the population and usually begins in the winter when there is less natural sunlight.
While SAD shares many symptoms with other types of depression, such as fatigue, lack of focus, and mood swings, it is distinguished by its predictably seasonal pattern. Additionally, seasonal depression usually goes away during the spring and summer months.
Causes of Seasonal Depression
A variety of factors cause seasonal depression. The primary factor is the changing of the seasons, specifically when winter approaches and daylight hours become shorter.
With fewer hours of sunlight per day, melatonin production in the body naturally decreases, leading to reduced serotonin levels. This can trigger feelings of sadness, lethargy, and other symptoms associated with depression.
For some people, decreased physical activity due to the cold weather may also be correlated with increased depressive symptoms. Furthermore, other environmental factors, such as hazardous air conditions, wet weather, and allergens from particulate matter in the air, might influence seasonal depression as well.
How Seasonal Depression Presents
Symptoms of SAD typically worsen in the colder months and include a feeling of sadness, loss of interest in things, fatigue, difficulty focusing, changes in appetite and weight, mood swings, and anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure from activities that used to be enjoyable). SAD symptoms can range in intensity from mild to severe.
What to Do If You Think You Have Seasonal Depression
During the winter, many people struggle with seasonal depression caused by shorter days and less sunlight. If you are one of them, don’t worry—help is just a call away! The primary care team at Sankofa Health in Laurel, Maryland, will work with you to establish a treatment plan to help you get back on track quickly.
Many treatments have been found to make a significant difference in improving symptoms. Light therapy, for example, exposes you to a special type of artificial sunlight for 30-90 minutes each day, which can reduce the effects of SAD on your mood and energy levels.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) offer effective ways to identify unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior and replace them with healthier ones. Together, these treatments can dramatically improve your outlook on life and help you get back on track.
Other wellness strategies, such as increased physical activity, yoga, meditation, massage, and relaxation techniques, help unblock your energy and are excellent adjuncts to our clinical approach.
So if you’re struggling this winter, talk to your Sankofa doctor about the best options for you. We’re here for you, and we genuinely care! Book your appointment today and feel better faster.