Understanding Seasonal Depression: Is it more than the Winter Blues? by Lauren Shockley

When the excitement of the holiday season is over, many people find themselves in a slump. Decorations have been taken down, the house looks ordinary, fun holiday gatherings on your calendar have ceased, and the weather may be lousy. It’s normal to feel a little less enthusiastic during this time, although it’s important to recognize that there are significant differences between the “winter blues” and seasonal depression.

"Winter blues" refers to a mild, temporary feeling of sadness or anxiety that many people experience during the fall and winter months, and is often linked to something specific, such as holiday stress, changes in routine, negative thoughts about winter weather, or reminders of absent loved ones during the season. If you are experiencing the “winter blues”, you may feel sad, but you are still able to function. You may cancel social plans to stay home, but still take interest in your normal activities, such as watching TV or crafting. Essentially, you still enjoy life, but you may pull back a little bit.

While the winter blues is usually gone in a short amount of time, some people have more serious seasonal mood changes year after year, lasting throughout the fall and winter when there is less natural sunlight. Seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as SAD, is a type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern where a person loses interest in many areas of their life.

With SAD, you feel a persistent low mood that significantly impacts your daily activities and routines, often making it difficult to carry out normal tasks due to symptoms like fatigue, loss of interest in activities, and changes in sleep patterns. For example, you want to stay home, but you don't want to watch the shows you like or eat your favorite foods. You essentially withdraw from life on a global scale.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that seasonal depression most often occurs with the transition into the fall and winter months, but can sometimes occur during the summer, although this is less common.

“Winter-pattern SAD should not be confused with “holiday blues”—feelings of sadness or anxiety brought on by stresses at certain times of the year. The depression associated with SAD is related to changes in daylight hours, not the calendar, so stresses associated with the holidays or predictable seasonal changes in work or school schedules, family visits, and so forth are not the same as SAD.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of SAD can include:

·        Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks

·        Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

·        Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness

·        Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

·        Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

·        Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down

·        Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

·        Changes in sleep or appetite or unplanned weight changes

·        Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause and do not go away with treatment

·        Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

For winter-pattern SAD, additional symptoms include:

·        Oversleeping

·        Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates, leading to weight gain

·        Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”)

While the exact cause of winter-pattern SAD is not fully understood, it is believed to be related to changes in the body's circadian rhythm (internal clock) due to reduced sunlight exposure. This can lead to an imbalance in the production of certain hormones, such as serotonin and melatonin.

There is significant hope for people with SAD; with treatments like light therapy, therapy, and medication, most individuals can manage their symptoms and live fulfilling lives, especially when they seek professional help and actively manage their condition.

If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior with the season change, we at Maryville Counseling want you to know that you are not alone. To learn more about SAD and the treatment options available, please reach out to us here or by calling (865) 809-0274.