It's already time again. The days are getting darker, the air colder, I have a mood to run away. Grant. Grandad. Disaster. Welcome, winter depression! Winter depression is not a trendy phenomenon from the fashionable psycho box, but a medical problem. The SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is triggered by the lack of sunlight. That's what we need for the production of the happiness hormone serotonin. As the days get darker, fewer happyness hormones are produced and we are in a worse mood.
How do I recognize a winter depression?
If you suffer from winter depression, you will notice if you suffer from these symptoms for over two weeks:
- listlessness
- loss of interest
- Depression
- irritability
- difficulty concentrating
- Neglect of social contacts
- Cravings! Because unlike seasonally independent depression, the winter depression does not lead to loss of appetite, but to extreme cravings for carbohydrates and sugar.
- Tiredness: Anyone who suffers from winter depression is not sleepless and scratched, but tired and hanging on the ropes.
How do I prevent winter depression?
Recharge your batteries. Winter depression can be alleviated by spending an hour outdoors every day. Because even with a cloudy sky, the light intensity is sufficient to get through the retina of the eyes into the brain and to set in motion important hormone activities. For many experts, strict daily consumption of light is by far the most important measure for combating depression. Move. The second way to prevent winter depression is sport. For, in fact, hormone production also starts to move, we produce more serotonin, which makes us happy and relaxed. Do not worry, you do not have to jog for several hours. 30 minutes of moderate walking are enough. Reward yourself. A massage, a quiet morning just for you, a full bath, a little shopping spree: you alone decide what makes you happy. Treat yourself to these little pleasures!
Should I go to the doctor with winter depression?
Only if you feel that you can not get out of this deep hole with the methods mentioned above. A doctor can tell if it's a seasonal depression, winter blues or some other form of depression. Mostly a light therapy is prescribed. The artificial light, which is similar to a sunlight, can be mood-enhancing in winter depressions. To some extent, drug treatment can also help. It is not always prescribed antidepressants in the form of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Frequently, herbal supplements such as St. John's wort are also used. Even with over-the-counter preparations, you should discuss the dosage in advance with an expert.