Winter Time Depression

Winter time depression or winter depression is tiredness, bouts of blues and depression during the winter season. In some cases, this depression reaches extreme and as a consequence, relationships and work suffer.

Winter time depression is usually described as a depressive episode when depression and sadness are experienced especially during the winter time. It is associated with the sense of loss and lethargy that accompanies the short days.

Usually the symptoms are noticed in the fall, they start at the beginning of winter and diminish in spring as the days grow bright and long.

Symptoms of Winter Time Depression

The typical symptoms of winter time depression include:

• Depression
• Lack of energy
• Increased need for sleep
• A craving for sweets
• Weight gain
• Increase in appetite
• Body aches

Causes of Winter Time Depression

Winter time depression has been associated with melatonin, a hormone that is usually released when darkness falls, that puts one to sleep. According to studies, as days lengthen, the secretion of melatonin increases and causes depression. It is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Inadequate and low light during the short days of winter is also attributed as one of the cases of winter time depression. According to researchers, bright light brings a change in brain, as well as serotonin that is known to cause winter time depression.

Treatment of Winter Time Disorder

Some people with mild cases of winter time depression are not given any specific treatment; however, people with severe depression are given stabilizers such as Lithium to bring them out of this depressive phase.

In some cases, regular exposure to light is noted for lifting depression. Light treatment is used daily in the morning and evening for best results. In many people, change to a lighter and brighter location also proved good and cheered them up.

Phototherapy, another form of light therapy is also used in form of light box. It is usually used for an hour daily where lights of sufficient brightness are used, generally 25 times brighter than normal light. If phototherapy or light treatment is not available, any light of sufficient brightness will do.

Psychotherapy can also help the depressed person to sort out his emotions and feelings and identify the problems. It can also help solve the interpersonal problems and avoid further crises. It’s been proved that cognitive therapy helps in relieving depression as no other treatment. However, as the main cause of winter depression is lack of light, light therapy is the best for this depression.

Winter time depression is a phenomenon that is experienced most of the time by people who live in colder countries or people who work in offices all day long. Light is the most important factor in this disorder. Frequent light along with psychotherapy can help individuals over come this problem.