Dear Dari:
Without fail, every winter I notice changes in my mood. When it’s cold and gloomy outside, that’s how I feel on the inside. I’ve noticed my mother also feels down. Is this normal and what can we do to overcome it?
Depressed in Decatur
I’m sorry you’re feeling this way, but rest assured, it’s a relatively normal condition known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or SAD.
According to the Mayo Clinic, SAD is a type of depression related directly to the changes in seasons. It usually begins and ends around the same time every year. For most people, symptoms start in the fall and continue through the winter, and they end when the sun comes out in the spring and summer.
Here are some signs to look out for in yourself and your loved ones:
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Feeling listless, sad, or down most of the day, nearly every day.
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Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.
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Having low energy and feeling sluggish.
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Having problems with sleeping too much.
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Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating, and weight gain.
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Having difficulty concentrating.
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Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty.
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Having thoughts of not wanting to live.
While doctors don’t know the exact cause of seasonal affective disorder, factors such as circadian rhythm (your biological clock), a drop in the brain chemical Serotonin, and a change in your body’s melatonin level can also trigger it.
You’re more at risk of SAD if you have a family history of it, suffer from depression or bi-polar disorder, have a Vitamin D deficiency, or live far north or far south of the Equator.
You can treat symptoms in a variety of ways, including light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy, and with medications.
If you or your loved ones start experiencing severe symptoms, such as social withdrawal, problems at work, drug abuse, anxiety, eating disorders, or thoughts of suicide, be sure to seek professional help right away.
I hope you both feel better soon. Remember, this too shall pass.
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