Seasonal depression is a type of depression that is related to climate change, being more common in the colder seasons, that is, late autumn and early winter, causing symptoms such as difficulty paying attention, lack of hope, tiredness or social isolation. , for example.
The cause of seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder or winter depression, is not fully known, but it appears to be related to less sun exposure during the fall and winter, which results in hormonal changes, such as serotonin and melatonin, responsible for regulating the circadian cycle.
The treatment of seasonal depression is carried out by a psychiatrist, and generally involves psychotherapy, phototherapy, antidepressant medications, such as sertraline, citalopram or bupropion, or natural treatment.
Symptoms of seasonal depression
The main symptoms of seasonal depression or winter depression are:
- Sadness or feeling depressed most days;
- Anxiety, irritability or agitation;
- Difficulty concentrating or paying attention;
- Lack of hope;
- Excessive tiredness or lack of energy;
- Decreased libido or interest in activities that previously gave pleasure;
- Trouble sleeping, usually sleeping too much;
- Decreased social relationships or social isolation;
- Increased appetite, intense craving for carbohydrates and weight gain.
Symptoms of seasonal depression vary from person to person and tend to decrease when winter ends and exposure to sunlight increases. However, it is recommended to consult a psychiatrist if the symptoms are very intense or thoughts about suicide arise, so that the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
Additionally, it is also possible for some people to develop seasonal depression in the spring or summer, which causes symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, agitation, irritability, aggressive behavior, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
However, this type of change is classified as bipolar disorder, since manic symptoms tend to be more intense in the summer. Understand what bipolar disorder is.
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How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of seasonal depression is made by a psychiatrist or psychologist by evaluating the symptoms, as well as when they started and in which season they are frequent or more intense.
Seasonal depression is often difficult to diagnose, as it presents symptoms similar to common depression. However, questionnaires can be applied to assess whether depressive symptoms are more intense or present in specific months of the year. See what can trigger depression.
Possible causes
The main cause of seasonal affective disorder is related to a decrease in serotonin and an increase in melatonin in the body, which are hormones related to the circadian cycle, mood and sleep regulation, and are influenced by sun exposure. Understand what the circadian cycle is.
Another cause related to seasonal affective disorder is that during winter there is less sunlight and vitamin D levels in the body decrease, causing more sleep and a feeling of excessive tiredness.
Furthermore, vitamin D is also important for the production of serotonin, and when it is produced in smaller quantities, it leads to less availability of serotonin in the body, contributing to seasonal depression.
Other risk factors may also be linked to the onset of seasonal affective disorder, such as people who live in darker and colder places, who work in more closed and dark places and who have a personal or family history of depression.
How the treatment is carried out
Some types of treatments may be indicated for seasonal affective disorder, such as:
1. Phototherapy
Phototherapy is a type of treatment that consists of applying bright light to the person as a replacement for sun exposure. This type of treatment is highly recommended and must sometimes be used in conjunction with medication.
It is carried out in hospitals and specialized clinics, with the person sitting or lying down receiving the bright light on their skin for a period of 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the strength of the light and the treatment time depends on the doctor’s recommendation. Understand more about how phototherapy is performed.
However, some side effects may be observed, such as eye irritation, restlessness and headaches, so it is important to always contact your doctor.
2. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help treat seasonal affective disorder, carried out by a psychologist, focused on the development of mood and behavior and consists of helping people understand and control their emotions in different situations.
This type of treatment can be done with psychodynamic approaches, such as psychoanalysis or behavioral psychology, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or behavior analysis, for example.
Psychotherapy sessions can be carried out individually or in a group depending on the psychologist’s recommendation, and reflection exercises can be carried out, to help identify negative feelings, and breathing exercises, to promote relaxation.
3. Medications
Some medications may be recommended by the doctor to treat seasonal affective disorder, such as antidepressants, such as bupropion, citalopram, sertraline or paroxetine, for example, as they help to increase serotonin levels in the brain, thus reducing symptoms of seasonal depression.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe vitamin D supplementation to regulate the levels of this vitamin in the blood, and the amount to be used will depend on each person.
4. Natural treatment
Natural treatment is used along with other types of treatment and can improve the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Therefore, it is necessary to take household measures such as keeping windows, blinds and curtains open during the day, as well as sitting close to the window to stay in contact with the sun’s rays.
There are also home remedies indicated to treat this type of disorder, such as St. John’s wort, rhodiola or kava-kava tea. These extracts can also be found in capsule formulas and their dosage should always be recommended by a doctor or herbalist.
Furthermore, it is important to do outdoor activities, such as walking, and maintain a healthy and balanced diet rich in vitamin D. Discover the main foods that contain vitamin D
