Many people may experience a decrease of energy once the days get shorter and the temperature begins to drop, but a prolonged state of sadness in the winter time may be something more than just “winter-blues.”
More and more people are experiencing a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), according to reports on WebMD.com. The symptoms include trouble concentrating, increased anxiety, lack of sleep, weight gain, irritability, feelings of hopelessness, and/or suicidal thoughts.
About 5% of Americans suffer from this mood disorder, according to the site. In teens, it can become a serious problem. Symptoms in children and teenagers vary slightly. Someone dealing with this may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, become socially withdrawn, and decline academically.
“Some kids who have this don’t realize it, they hear the term ‘winter blues’ and think it’s normal to feel this way, when in reality it’s not normal for anyone to feel like they’re just going through the motions and that life isn’t worth it anymore,” Long Island social worker Aly Kornn.
The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder typically tend to begin in the fall each year, lasting until spring. The symptoms are more intense during the darkest months. Therefore, the more common months of symptoms will vary depending on how far away from the equator one lives.
The sunlight helps to increase a neurotransmitter in the brain called serotonin. Kornn explains that a person with an average amount of this hormone will most likely not experience depression. In people with SAD, the brain produces too much melatonin, a hormone produced in the hours of darkness. When a person’s serotonin levels are too low and melatonin too high, the body is thrown off balance causing a type of biochemical depression.
If one if suffering from this mood disorder, it can be frustrating. Mentalhealth.com said there are ways to cope such as getting outside, absorbing as much sunlight as you possibly can during the daylight hours, if possible. Exercise can be a great method for surpassing depression also. Eating right and getting enough sleep each night is also a huge factor in staying healthy– mentally and physically. If these don’t work, more intense treatment is available.
“I find myself really down in the winter. I either can’t sleep or I sleep too much and getting up in the morning becomes harder than usual. Once I started eating a little better and exercising I realized I felt a little better. Not as good as I do in spring and summer, but not that sad anymore,” said a high school senior who wishes to remain anonymous.
There are many types of therapy that work well depending on the struggling individual’s needs. Healthcentral.com lists light therapy as the most popular option. This is a bright, high-intensity, full-spectrum light that radiates some of the same frequencies as the natural sun directly into the skin and eyes where they have a similar effect. Medication can also sometimes be an affective measure.
“Depression is something that can be kept under control. With the right help, it can be manageable. But it’s kind of like going through life with one hand tied behind your back; it makes a lot of things tougher than they should be. Patients who suffer from this for months at a time and then have to do it all over again each season are stronger than they realize,” MHS psychiatrist, David Dillon said.
This mood disorder is most common in women, according to reports on psychtreatment.com. However, it does not discriminate. People of all ages can experience this. If the days become short and dark and you find your personality is turning dark too, talk to someone you trust who can help you.