Seasonal Sepression:
Why Season Changes Make You Depressed?
The term seasonal depression implies that
this type of depression is situational, rather than chronic.
The most commonly known seasonal depression is "winter blues", but there is also "summer depression". Winter blues normally starts in fall and ends as spring comes around, while summer depression is the opposite.
Seasonal depression or SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is cyclical as the name suggests. In its most severe form, winter blues gives way to winter depression.
Those who suffer from seasonal depression have some of the same symptoms of other depressive disorders, namely:
- Isolation from others
- Decreased energy levels
- Increase or decrease appetite
- Sleep problems (difficulty staying asleep)
- Unexplained sadness
- Lack of concentration
- Thinking of suicide
Seasonal depression is believed to be caused by an abnormality of the body to properly regulate its biological clock. As the hours of daylight lessens during the winter months, the body becomes confused and does not work as it should.
Light therapy alone or together with antidepressants is the traditional methods of treating seasonal depression. Light therapy must be used throughout the winter season to avoid a return of SAD.
Persons with seasonal depression can also help themselves by spending as much time in the sun as possible; however they must take care to protect the skin with sunscreen.
Some signs of summer depression normally include weight loss due to a loss of appetite and insomnia. The treatment for this seasonal depression is still being developed, but alternative remedy for depression such as yoga and acupuncture has shown positive outcome.
Obviously, light therapy is not used for summer depression, rather, it is found that cold showers, heat regulation and air conditioning also helps sufferers deal with the symptoms.
To avoid seasonal depression the following suggestions are recommended:
- Spend as much time as is possible outside
- Keep active
- Maintain a nutritious diet
- Exercise regularly
- Reduce the stress in your life during the winter months as much as possible. "Conquering Stress," by C.J. Green can help.