Winter Blues Depression And You

The causes of winter blues depression are not fully known, but there appears to be a relationship between lack of sunlight and feeling depressed. Those who live in northern climates tend to be more susceptible to the disorder, known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Because of the shorter days and more hours of darkness during the winter months, a person living in Maine is more likely to suffer from winter depression than a person living in Florida, for example.

Medical symptoms of winter blues depression are similar to those of clinical depression and include increased appetite and weight gain, tiredness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities and low energy. If you are experiencing symptoms like these, then you shouldn't write them off; you should seek help. That is doubly so if they include self-harming and suicidal thoughts or attempts. This information should be brought to the attention of your doctor as soon as possible.

This may offer an explanation as to why some healthy individuals experience altered moods and low energy levels in the winter, and why there is a regular reoccurrence of feeling depressed in the fall and winter months in some vulnerable individuals. The next step in the process is to understand what causes this change and how to interrupt it.

Although SAD may not be as profound as other forms of depression, it still warrants serious attention and treatment. People need to understand and acknowledge that seasonal affective disorder is a real condition. People who live in areas where winters are particularly harsh may think that negative feelings during that time of year are just a part of living where they do, but if the symptoms affect daily functioning, then they require further investigation.

It is fortunate that there is treatment for winter depression, such as light therapy, which is effective and all natural. During this procedure, patients sit in front of a very bright light box or lamp and absorb the ultraviolet rays. The light boxes for bright light therapy have been helpful for many people. Although a prescription is not required to buy the lighting equipment, it is still worthwhile to speak to your health professional about what you are experiencing. Talk therapy as well as talking to friends can also be beneficial so that you avoid social isolation. Exercise has been shown to help alleviate depression as well. For more serious cases, medication may be prescribed.

As the fall and winter months approach, keep a close eye on your moods and be aware of any symptoms that persist to keep the winter blues depression from taking over your life. If you feel yourself succumbing to the symptoms, be proactive. Try therapy with lights, change your diet, get exercise and talk to a friend or therapist. You don't want to wait too long to start symptom management.

Related topics about Winter Blues Depression

Winter Depression Treatments: Go Natural
A person with winter depression does not have to dread the fall and winter months, with the long nights and shorter days that they bring. It is possible to become pro-active in reversing the symptoms when using the right winter depression treatments. Also known as seasonal affected disorder (SAD), winter depression seems to affect more females than males or children, with seventy to eighty percent of all sufferers being female, for reasons that aren't completely known.

Tips for Beating Winter Depression
Some people have turned to hypnosis as a treatment for winter depression, and some have found that it works for them. A person who is a certified hypnosis therapist can lead a patient through a series of mental activities so that he or she can become more aware of their individual perception style and how that can also affect the stability of their moods.

Winter Depression Light Therapy
People dealing with this seasonal disorder don't automatically exhibit all the typical symptoms, so it is very important to contact a doctor for a check up. Winter depression light therapy can help until longer days and more hours of sunlight arrive. Miraculously, the signs of this depression seem to disappear with the arrival of the beautiful days of spring and ample sunlight.