Seasonal Depression

When you are suffering from seasonal depression you need all the help you can get.  Often referred to seasonal affective disorder or SAD, the problem appears to surface nearly the same time every year.  If you’ve ever experienced seasonal affective disorder, then you more than likely begin to notice symptoms during the fall.  The symptoms may follow you well into the winter months, tiring you out and making you feel moody.  For some folks, seasonal affective disorder causes a feeling of depression during the springtime or early summer months as well.

Many people try to fight seasonal depression on their own, attributing it to a case of the “winter blues” or just a seasonal funk.  However there are effective treatments for seasonal depression such as light therapy (photo-therapy), psychotherapy and medications available to ease the burden.  In fact, you can take certain steps to prevent the onset of these mood swings and keep your mood, energy level and motivation stable all year long.

Symptoms of winter-onset seasonal depression include:

• Feelings of Depression
• Feelings of Hopelessness
• Feelings of Anxiety
• Severe Loss of Energy
• Feeling of Heaviness in Your Arms or Legs
• Withdrawal from Family, Loved Ones and Work
• Losing Interest in Activities That Once Brought You Joy
• Unusual Appetite Changes and Cravings for Food That Are High In Carbohydrates
• Rapid Weight Gain
• Inability to Concentrate

Symptoms of spring and summer seasonal depression is different from the symptoms of winter seasonal affective disorder.  The one symptom they have in common is anxiety.  Here are the clues that you may be suffering from spring and summer seasonal affective disorder:

• Feelings of Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Feelings of Irritability
• Agitated by the Slightest Things
• Rapid Weight Loss
• Little to No Appetite
• Higher Than Usual Sex Drive

Doctor’s have not been able to pinpoint any specific cause of seasonal depression.  But most would agree that a combination of factors can create seasonal affective disorder such as genetics, certain mental health conditions, your age, and your body’s natural chemical makeup.  For instance, a disruption in your body’s internal clock can be caused by reduced levels of sunlight during the fall and winter months.  This disruption can bring on feelings of depression.

A drop in your serotonin levels (the brains chemical that affects mood) also plays a role in seasonal affective disorder.  The reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin levels that can trigger depression.  Melatonin levels can also be disrupted during the change in season affecting your sleep patterns and your mood.  Melatonin is the body’s natural hormone affecting sleep patterns and mood.

With all this mind, please note that it is normal to experience a few days of feeling low or sad.  However, if you feel down for several days at a time and it seems as if it is almost impossible to shake the mood or find the motivation to do activities you once enjoyed, it is time to contact your physician.  This is especially significant if you begin to notice that your sleep patterns and appetite have changed dramatically.  And even more so if you are experiencing feelings of hopeless, are contemplating suicide, or find yourself relying on alcohol or recreational drugs for comfort or relaxation. Take control of seasonal depression symptoms and take back your life.