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When Winter Blues Strike
With the dark days of winter upon us, it's not unusual to feel blue from time to time. Decreased exposure to sunlight can make it difficult to wake up in the morning, think creatively or even perform easy or enjoyable tasks.
Add to that an increase in sluggishness, lingering anxiety, and an insatiable craving for carbohydrates, it's easy to see why many people dread these shorter, colder days of the year.
For some, cabin fever can lead to a case of the winter blahs. For others, the effects characterize a type of depressive disorder.
Research shows that the winter blues and its more severe counterpart, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), affect some 15 million people in the U.S. alone. Symptoms often begin in October or November, climax in January or February, and subside in March or April.
Although the winter blues are not as severe as long-term depression, they can impact the way a person thinks, reacts and handles everyday challenges. Someone with a more serious case may feel hopeless, helpless and even ponder suicide. What's more, SAD weakens the immune system, increasing vulnerability to infections and other illnesses.
Additional symptoms include:
- Desire to avoid social contact
- Inability to tolerate stress
- Decreased interest in sex and physical contact
- Loss of self-esteem
- Headaches, body aches and abdominal pains
Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder
The medical community recognized SAD in 1985, and research on causes and treatments hasn't let up since. Of course, if you have a history of depression, you are high risk. But what else do doctors say about this sometimes-debilitating disorder?
- Unstable levels of melatonin and serotonin. During the day, our body produces serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood, hunger and sleep. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone responsible for our drowsiness at night. But on those dark winter days, there isn't always enough sunlight to trigger the production of serotonin.
- Short days, long nights. The body's internal clock is disrupted; it doesn't know when to sleep or wake up if the sun sets at 4 p.m.
- Location, location, location. If you live in a northern state where a string of cloudy days and months is commonplace, your chances of feeling SAD increase.
- Gender differences. Women are four times more likely to suffer from the condition than men, yet experts suspect that men may simply underreport or cover up their symptoms.
- Young adulthood. It is proven that nearly 25 percent of college students across the country suffer the effects of winter blues. While SAD is relatively uncommon in those younger than 20, it does affect some children and teens.
Beating the Winter Blues
There is no cure for SAD or the winter blues. But, like depression, you can learn to manage it. Current treatments include psychotherapy, medication, and light therapy, which involves exposure to a special type of light box.
Many preventative measures can also help curb the symptoms. Exercise, a well-balanced diet, stress reduction, and an increase in the exposure to natural light are all effective self-help methods.
Still, don't be afraid to consult a professional to discuss the condition and its symptoms. After all, physical and emotional well-being is definitely worth the effort.
Background Information
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