Understandably, the winter season can make you feel glum. It is the coldest time of year and the hours of sunlight are much shorter. These factors can contribute to a dip in your mood or a lack of energy which you may attribute to the ‘winter blues.’
According to the National Institutes of Health ((NIH), the winter blues is “fairly common and it’s more mild than serious. It usually clears up on its own in a fairly short amount of time.” However, if feelings such as sadness, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed and lethargy persist, they may be signs of a more serious condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that is related to the changes of the seasons. While the exact cause of SAD is unknown, it has been found that factors such as the reduction in sunlight during the winter and reduced levels of serotonin (the brain chemical that affects mood) are contributors.
Some people are more at risk for SAD than others; women, people who live far from the equator, people between the ages of 15 and 55 and those with a family history of seasonal affective disorder have a higher chance of occurrence.
Signs and symptoms of SAD may appear in late fall, early winter and subside during the spring or summer; they can include:
- Feeling depressed most of the day and nearly every day
- Sleeping excessively
- Craving more carbohydrates than usual
- Gaining weight
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling apathetic towards things that were once enjoyable
If these symptoms make it difficult to function normally in your life, it is highly advised that you seek the help of a trained mental health practitioner.
Diagnosing SAD can be difficult due to similarities shared with other forms of depression and mental health conditions. However, to help rule out possible underlying health problems, your doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation which generally includes lab tests, physical examinations and psychological assessments to determine a conclusion.
Treatment for seasonal affective disorder may include a combination of light therapy, medication and counseling.
To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.