How To Recognize And Manage Winter Mood Disorder

By Stephen Hardy

Winter mood disorder can become a serious dread for people who live in the northern states. From late fall to early winter, the days become shorter and the amount of available sunlight diminishes. Although the cause of the condition, better known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is not completely understood, it appears to have a correlation with diminished sunlight exposure, and those individuals susceptible to SAD are adversely affected by this lack of sunlight. The symptoms of SAD go well beyond simple winter depression or holiday stress.

A recent study by mental health researchers discovered that there are higher levels of serotonin transporters in the brain during the winter than in the summer; the first time such a difference has ever been found. Since more serotonin transporters were found when there was less light, and serotonin transporters remove serotonin, the finding would suggest that there is more serotonin removal in the brain during the winter, which may be the reason why winter mood disorder resurfaces.

While it isn’t always as profound as other kinds of depression, it still calls for awareness and action. Sufferers must realize and acknowledge that winter mood disorder is an actual medical issue. People who live in regions where winter is especially cold and dark may believe that feeling down throughout that time of year is merely a fact of life, but when the symptoms affect your everyday ability to function, then the situation needs further investigation.

Fortunately there are treatment options for winter mood disorder, frequently by means of light therapy, which makes a significant difference and is all natural. This form of therapy calls for patients to sit in front of a light box or lamp and soak up the high intensity ultraviolet rays. Light therapy has been shown to be effective for many sufferers. Psychotherapy along with confiding in family and friends should also be useful and help you to stay socially active. Working out has been shown to ease symptoms of depression as well. For more critical cases, medication is frequently prescribed.

Watching for patterns and paying attention to your moods are good ways to prevent winter mood disorder from negatively impacting your life. If you have suffered with it in the past, beginning light treatment, changing your diet, getting more exercise or adding medication ahead of time can help prevent it or reduce its severity.

Lots of people are prone to depression throughout the dark months of winter. Winter depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is something many people face each and every year. If you are unfamiliar with this condition and think you or someone you know may have it, visit our site to learn more about fighting winter blues depression.

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Tags: Health and Fitness, mental health, mood disorders, sad, seasonal affective disorder, winter mood disorder

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