Seasonal depression – how does it affect us? –
Do you often feel exhausted for no apparent reason? Do you find yourself wanting to go to sleep as soon as you get home, only to be reminded that you still have to study for that one test you simply CANNOT fail?
If you experience these symptoms, you should know that you’re not alone. Not only I but most teenagers and adults find themselves in this state of mind. This phenomenon is ironically called S.A.D. (Seasonal affective disorder) or “seasonal depression”.
What is S.A.D.?
Seasonal affective disorder refers to the type of depression that comes and goes depending on the season of the year – most often fall or winter. On the contrary, some people with S.A.D. may have symptoms in the summer and feel better during the cold seasons. It is no sign of weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away.
Because of daylight saving, where in October the clocks fall back one hour, we, of course, get shorter days and less sunlight. These components are thought to be linked to a chemical change in the brain and may be part of the cause of S.A.D. and affect:
● Production of melatonin – the hormone that makes you feel sleepy, is naturally produced on a higher level by our body when it’s dark.
● Production of serotonin – a hormone that affects your mood, appetite, and sleep.
● Body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) – your body uses sunlight to time various important functions, such as when you wake up. Lower light levels during the winter may confuse your internal clock and lead to symptoms of S.A.D.
Symptoms of S.A.D can include:
● Difficulty concentrating.
● Insomnia and daytime drowsiness.
● Loss of pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed.
● Irritability and anxiety/ sensibility to rejection.
● Fatigue, or low energy level.
Here’s a little fun fact:
Humans are the only mammals that voluntarily deprive themselves of sleep.
Scientists have found two main motivations for this type of deprivation:
● Rewards, like finishing a good book.
● Punishments, like deadline-induced panic.
Some jobs and most students require crazy levels of sleep deficits.
During the winter season, students are the leading victims of procrastination, stress, and exhaustion. After 7 hours of courses, almost nobody wants to start writing essays, while also having to deal with real-life problems.
Doctors, who are responsible for our health, should have a healthy sleep schedule, no? Wrong. Junior doctors’ weekly schedules average around 48 hours. And that’s a breeze compared to what they used to work! In the ‘80s, junior doctors regularly did over 104 h/week. (That’s like going to school for 20 hours/day!)
The symptoms of SAD may look like other mental health conditions. Before drawing any drastic conclusion, always see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
You would be shocked by how many people feel these symptoms.
I decided to run my own little scientific test: Throughout this week, I have subtly been asking friends, teachers, and family how they feel. Do they feel happy, tired, motivated or exhausted?
¾ of these people told me that they feel overwhelmed, they cannot wait for the week to end. They feel as if others expect too much from them. They feel more emotional than normal even though they have no reason to.
To my surprise, ¼ of the people I had interviewed tried to repress their feelings. When asked, they said: “Oh, that’s nonsense. I’m just fine. I don’t care. It’s just another bad day.” But how long can you have a bad day until you realize that there may be an actual cause?
The treatment for „winter depression” often differs, and may include all, or a combination, of thefollowing:
● Exposure to sunlight (if ever possible)
● Light therapy and the use of vitamins
If increasing sunlight is not possible, exposure to a special light for a specific amount of time each day may help. Also helpful are little tablets of different vitamins (A, B, C, D).
● Set realistic goals for yourself.
Stop taking on 100 tasks and then feeling overwhelmed when you aren’t able to finish them all instantly.
● Have fun.
Go to a movie, try a new hobby – such activities go a long way for your happiness.
Lastly, please remember from this article, that S.A.D. should not be something you fear. Instead, think of it as a universal phenomenon. It is something that all of us should acknowledge, not see as an insecurity. The faster we understand ourselves, the better we cope with our problems and live our life to the fullest.
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