Winter Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) generally occurs due to no obvious reasons. Keep calm and maintain a good routine while following some helpful tips to get over it. It is one of the common disorders that normally occurs during winter. However, some people might develop it during fall and spring as well. Seek timely help for early detection. Younger people have to remain more careful about SAD. It affects the mental health of people at a young age more in comparison with old age people.
It is a type of depression and is directly related to changing seasons. Interestingly, SAD begins and ends at the same time of the year. If you are also struggling with SAD like most of the people around then you will start showing symptoms in the fall. These symptoms will continue up to winter. Some common symptoms of this mental disorder are low energy and frequent mood changes that too with no obvious reason. These symptoms normally disappear during spring and summer. SAD basically does not cause depression during spring or summer.
Symptoms
Clinical studies have found that symptoms for SAD basically remain the same for all and may start out mild and will gradually deteriorate to become severe as seasons progress. A few common symptoms of SAD are as follows:
• Anxiety
• Intake of carbohydrates in excess
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Low energy level
• Hopelessness
• No concentration
• Irritation
• Heaviness in arms and legs
• Loss of interest
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Sleeping issues (oversleeping)
• Suicidal tendency
A list of symptoms for winter SAD that is also addressed as winter depression may include:
• Excess of sleep
• Lethargy
• Inconsistent appetite
• Inclination towards carbohydrate-rich food items
• Weight gain
• Low energy
Causes
Extensive studies have been carried out to find the root causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) but still, they are unknown. Nonetheless, leading mental care experts to agree that below mentioned points could be the possible reasons for the occurrence of this disorder. A few to count are:
• Circadian rhythm: It is your biological clock. It becomes unstable when it remains deprived of required sunlight for a prolonged time. Lack of sunlight disrupts the bio clock to cause depression and other health issues.
• Serotonin: It is very important to maintain an optimum level of Serotonin, a type of brain chemical, ‘neurotransmitter’. This chemical directly affects mood. Reduced sunlight usually causes a drop in serotonin.
• Melatonin: Optimum level of Melatonin is also necessary. This chemical regulates sleep patterns and mood.
How To Prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent the first episode of SAD. But, it is delightful to know that after clinical diagnosis of this seasonal depression, you can obviously consider some highly effective steps to better manage it or even ensure prevention to a certain level. A few common prevention tips are:
• Use lightbox: Consider taking light therapy.
• Get out: Regularly spend time outside. Daylight helps feel better.
• Take a balanced diet: Avoid sweets and starchy food items. Intake of nutritious choices also proves helpful on certain terms.
More helpful points are there to follow. Consult a specialist at Solh App to confirm more details.
Prevention
Clinical studies so far have not found any feasible method to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder from occurring. However, early diagnosis and treatment might prove extremely helpful in multiple terms. Early care and proper compliance to all helpful instructions deliver good results to successfully manage all related symptoms.
