Winter might be enjoyable for a number of reasons. The holiday season, gifts and well wishes, but this is countered by the difficult weather and gloomy days. Sometimes, the effects of winter could overcome and overshadow the benefits of the season. There is no doubt that you might be feeling an eerie sense of sadness on certain winter days but for some, it can go a step further and lead to winter depression.
Depression in winter is a common occurrence to a reasonable amount of individuals during the winter months. It is particularly at its peak during the darkest days of winter. This is given many names such as winter depression syndrome or seasonal affective disorder. While it is characterized as the dreaded depression, it is less harmful and passes once the short period of winter is over. Winter depression symptoms typically comprise of hypersomnia. Individuals find it very difficult to leave their bed in the morning. Another symptom is an excessive appetite. A leading cause of people gaining weight besides the holiday season and all that stuffing is winter depression. Another symptom is the lack of motivation to perform any task.
While Christmas is usually considered a time of joy due to the abundance of presents, food and socializing, some tend to be withdrawn and unhappy. This is a clear sign of being depressed as one of the leading symptoms of clinical depression is loss of interest in activities that are usually interesting and entertaining.
This can be worsened if the person has no acquaintances be it family or friends to spend Christmas with. With the apparent sense of happiness seen in the people around them, they may even get suicidal.
Help and Treatment for Winter Depression
With winter depression, light, or lack of it rather, contributes to the dull mood. Inadequate lighting is known to cause sadness and negative feelings (while ironically it signifies romance or passion as well). Due to this, using a source of light for a period of time per day can aid winter depression. This treatment is exclusive to winter depression. Of course, the usual antidepressants can work as well. As it is seasonal, there is no harm in antidepressants considering the state of mind will pass and the drug will no longer be needed.
If you are concerned that an acquaintance may be suffering from seasonal depression, invite them over and give them some company. You might just save a life.