Reflecting Upon Seasonal Depression
By Jessica Garrison
It appears that spring has finally sprung! Despite allergies kicking in and moving wardrobe to and from the attic, it’s a wonderful part of the year to indulge in. Spring is the season of rebirth, and you might notice a change in your emotions and mental state as the flowers begin to bloom. Well, there’s a reason you’re feeling this way, and you aren’t the only one with questions about it.
Mostly known as seasonal depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a common form of depression that tends to appear in people during the winter months and fades when the weather starts to change. This is something that I have personally dealt with for years, but I didn’t know exactly what was going on until I went to college. Just like other forms of mental illness, seasonal depression isn’t always brought up as an important topic of conversation. However, there’s been a fight to end the stigma surrounding depression, and it is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are similar to major depressive disorder, though they tend to get better once the winter months end. These symptoms can include feelings of sadness, loss of interest in once enjoyed activities, oversleeping, loss of energy, and difficulty concentrating. It’s more likely for this to begin showing up in people between the ages of 18 and 30, particularly in women, though men experience SAD as well. If you do see yourself reflected in these symptoms, it’s important to reach out for help or talk to a medical professional. Your emotions could just be a result of the season, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure you’re not experiencing something more severe that you could need help with.
In my experience, I can feel it in my body when the seasonal depression is kicking in. Just stepping outside makes me sigh in misery, and I have no desire to participate in anything. Not even taking part in activities that nourish me sounds interesting; I’d rather just disappear under a pile of covers until I can hang up my winter coat for the year. It’s a long few months to get through, and every year feels a bit different, so it can be hard to prepare. I know these feelings are going to happen, but it’s impossible to stop them from coming. Still, I’ve found that even if you can’t stop them completely, there are ways that you can help yourself push through the dreadful winter.
Believe it or not, you can trick your body into thinking it’s summertime, which can help relieve your seasonal depression symptoms. Sitting in front of lights (light therapy), keeping the shades open during the day to let the sunlight in, participating in social activities, and going for walks or other physical activities can reduce symptoms of seasonal depression. Taking antidepressants or vitamin D capsules can also be helpful during this tough time, but speaking with your doctor about that first would be best in deciding which route will be most helpful for you to take.
The best time to reflect upon seasonal depression is right after it’s over when you can feel your body and mind making these changes. It’s now the time of year where I smile when I go outside and breathe in the fresh air; my whole mood has transformed. I suggest journaling about what you were experiencing each time around to be best equipped for the next winter, so you can compare your emotions from season to season and see what remedies worked best for you during those difficult times.
It’s less common for people to be affected by SAD during the summer months, but it’s still possible. So if you experience these symptoms during the summer but not during any other months, then don’t dismiss them. SAD could be affecting you, too. My advice remains the same, no matter what season you may be experiencing the depression. What’s most important to remember is that you’re not alone. I used to never understand why I would feel this way and why it was so intense when it got cold outside. But now that I understand where these feelings are coming from and why it’s happening, it is so much easier to deal with. I wish I had known about the seriousness of seasonal affective disorder earlier, but now that I do, I’m happy to share the information with others to be able to cope. We’re all free for another winter, but sooner or later, it’ll be time to go through those old journals and create habits to take care of ourselves. There’s no time like the present to learn more about your body and its needs.
All scientific information from this blog comes from the American Psychiatric Association. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, whether it is related to SAD or not, do not hesitate to reach out for help. Some resources are listed below.
Depression Hotline: 1-888-640-5174
Websites:
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
ADAA: Anxiety Disorders and Depression Association of America