“Winter Blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Many people experience a shift in mood when the cooler months begin as we head into winter. Some people may wonder, are these feelings “normal,” and “is this just a change of seasons funk?” Sometimes these symptoms may be related to something more serious than just a temporary feeling during the transition of seasons, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs during certain seasons throughout the year. It is most common to experience this disorder in the fall months as winter approaches. Common feelings include feeling down or depressed, increased irritability/moodiness, and increased fatigue. Other symptoms include decreased pleasure in previously enjoyable activities, trouble concentrating, appetite and/or weight changes, and even thought of death/suicide. Unfortunately women experience Seasonal Affective Disorder more than men, and those in cooler climates farther from the equator. Other risk factors include personal history of depression and family history of depression.

If this is overlooked and not treated, it can lead to serious problems involving substance abuse, or problems at school/work.

If you are wondering if you have the “winter blues” or something more serious, there are 2 screening questions you can ask yourself-

Are there times when you get depressed (symptoms include depressed mood, poor concentration, low energy, increased need for sleep, irritability) along with-

1) These periods happening for at least 2 years in a row?

2) These periods happening during the same season every year (e.g fall/winter), then improving the following season (eg. Spring/summer).

If you answered yes to both of those questions, it is possible you many have Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Fortunately there are several treatments for this type of depression. After being diagnosed by your health care provider, counseling may be recommended. Another common therapy is “light therapy.” This involves sitting in front of a bright light this is similar to “natural” outdoor light. It is thought to positively affect chemicals in the brain responsible for mood, sleep, and energy. If these treatments are not effective, sometimes antidepressant medication is necessary.