Is there seasonal depression? Symptoms of seasonal depression

The mood disorder, colloquially referred to as seasonal depression, is considered psychological illness: seasonal affective disorder . Affects about 10% of the population(morbidity depends on geographic latitude), mostly women in aged 20-50 years and children.

seasonal depression it most often occurs in the fall and winter, but a small percentage of people experience it in the spring or summer.

Depression autumn and winter - causes

The first symptoms of seasonal depression usually appear towards the end of summer, when a significant cold snap sets in, and the days are getting shorter and shorter. Changes in illumination affect the functioning of neurotransmitters within the central nervous system. Lack of light, especially in the morning, causes an increase in the concentration of melanin in the blood and a decrease in cortisol levels.

Disruption of the sleep-wake cycle affects the entire hormonal system . Before the time when the rhythm of human life was closely connected with nature, the body was preparing in this way for a seasonal decrease in activity.

This natural course of things became a problem when faced with the demands of civilization. Many people - due to the peculiarities of the profession - are even forced to intensify their efforts in the autumn-winter period.

Symptoms of seasonal depression

The development of seasonal depression is associated with a number of symptoms, these include:

chronic fatigue, decreased energy
increased drowsiness and worsening sleep quality
difficulty associated with morning rise
decreased mood - feelings of sadness, emptiness, anxiety, irritability
loss of interest
lack of motivation to act
inability to experience joy
decrease in self-esteem
problems with concentration, memory
difficulties in interpersonal contacts, withdrawal from social life
weakened immune system, pain and malaise
weakening of libido
increased appetite and weight gain
thoughts of suicide

In case of seasonal depression, it is most often recommended phototherapy or exposure to light. For this purpose, special lamps are used that emit light with an intensity several times higher than that of conventional incandescent lamps. 30-60 minute sessions affect the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters. Phototherapy takes several weeks and causes significant improvement feeling about 70% of patients. If it does not bring the desired results, it is advisable to temporarily include antidepressants in therapy.

To get rid of seasonal depression, which returns every year, it is better to prevent it in time. The best solution is to plan for the autumn-winter months to travel to countries where there are many sunlight.

It is also useful to observe correctly balanced diet(in particular, rich in vitamins group B), drinking herbal teas (for example, from St. John's wort). Simple Ways from autumn depression are walks in daylight, physical activity(especially outdoors), small pleasures like watching a movie, going to a concert, or meeting up with friends.

Seasonal depression - spring and summer

Approximately 1% of the population seasonal depression occurs in spring or summer. Symptoms are close to the autumn-winter variety, but the causes are slightly different. To some extent, it can be associated with atmospheric factors - frequent changes in illumination in spring and high humidity in summer.

Most common cause spring depression weakening of the body after the past winter months is considered. It can be cured in the same ways as autumn-winter depression.

Summer depression is a psychological phenomenon. Occurs as a result of a violation of the schedule of classes associated with a period of mood, or, conversely, disappointment associated with the lack of opportunities for rest during the holidays. Moreover, even a vacation can become a cause for great stress - it represents a significant financial burden and does not always meet the high expectations that are usually associated with it. Many people, especially women, experience discomfort associated with the summer heat.

To avoid depression in the summer season, as a rule, it is enough to provide for yourself desired temperature and air humidity. Compose new schedule, taking into account alternatives (in case the plans being undertaken fail), and, above all, as many activities as possible that bring joy.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression, is a type of depression that is seasonal. Usually episodes of depression appear at the same time, every year during the season of lack of solar activity. If you feel perfectly healthy during the spring and summer, if you begin to feel uncomfortable towards the end of the fall and have symptoms of depression during the winter, this may mean that you have seasonal affective disorder. In most cases, symptoms begin in the fall, as soon as the duration daylight hours starts to shorten. The maximum manifestations of seasonal depression are observed in December, January and February. Women with seasonal affective disorder react negatively to waning sunlight and lower temperatures during the fall and winter.

In the spring, women with seasonal affective disorder are "reborn", the intensity of symptoms begins to decrease, and then the manifestations depression disappear altogether. Seasonal affective disorder has been recognized as a specific disease it was not until the early 1980s that Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal and his colleagues officially reported the condition and gave it the appropriate name. According to Dr. Rosenthal, he himself had symptoms of depression every winter and spent a lot of time to determine the causes of his own condition, so giving birth to an understanding of seasonal affective disorder. Dr. Rosenthal suggested that less light during the winter could be a major cause of seasonal affective disorder.

It should be noted that some women may suffer from atypical form seasonal affective disorder, sometimes clinical symptoms seasonal depression may appear during the summer (instead of winter or in addition to winter).

Seasonal affective disorder is about four times more common in women than in men. An increase in the frequency of seasonal affective disorders has been noted in countries far from the equator. In general, women of all ages can be affected by seasonal depression, but the highest frequency of seasonal depression is found in women 22-25 years of age.

Seasonal depression - causes and risk groups

Most scientists suggest that the main cause of seasonal affective disorder is reduced exposure to sunlight for more than short days of the year. A lack of sunlight can cause malfunctions in the body, disrupt the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms ( internal clock organism). Violation of the cycles provokes a decrease in the level of serotonin, which is responsible for mood.

Another theory suggests that light stimulates the part of the brain (mainly the hypothalamus) that controls mood, appetite, and sleep. So a lack of light can change mood (causes sadness), changes appetite (or anorexia), and causes sleep disturbances.

Lack of light can affect the body's production of melatonin and serotonin, as well as disrupt circadian rhythm organism. Women who live in northern geographical latitudes, subject to greater risk development of seasonal affective disorders. At the same time, it was found that low level blood levels of vitamin D is associated with a higher incidence of seasonal depression. Seasonal affective disorder can start at adolescence(more common in girls) or adulthood(more often in women). Women with a family history of depression are in the group with more high risk development of seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal Depression - Symptoms

The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder tend to start and end around the same time each year. The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder tend to build up slowly in late fall and continue into the winter months. Most women notice symptoms in September-October and note their decrease in April-May.
The two main symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are low mood and lack of interest in life. But some women may have other symptoms, such as:

Sadness, grumpiness, moodiness or anxiety;
Decreased activity and loss of interest in ordinary species activities;
Decreased energy and ability to concentrate;
Lethargy of movements;
Hopelessness and irritability;
Increased need for extended sleep;
Overeating or cravings for food (mainly carbohydrates - baked goods, cakes, pasta);
weight gain;
Closure (isolation).

Seasonal depression - diagnosis

chief diagnostic criterion seasonal affective disorder is the dependence of the manifestation of all symptoms of depression on the season. If you experience the symptoms of depression listed above during the short, dark winter days, you probably have seasonal affective disorder. Main diagnostic symptoms are symptoms of depression associated with seasonality.

Seasonal depression - treatment

Light therapy can be very effective for treating seasonal affective disorder. There are two types of light therapy:

Bright light of the device for a limited period of time (30-120 minutes) in the morning.
The light of a device that simulates dawn, when the dim light gradually becomes brighter while you sleep (similar to a natural sunrise / sunset).

Light therapy is effective tool for most women suffering from seasonal affective disorder. Positive effect can be observed after 1-2 weeks of treatment. Light therapy should be used within long period throughout the autumn/winter season. Light therapy may be stopped in late spring.

Sometimes doctors may prescribe antidepressants for seasonal depression, these drugs can improve balance chemical substances brain that affect mood. Counseling can also be useful component effective treatment seasonal affective disorder.
During the entire period of treatment, it is recommended to be active, as in daytime(especially in the morning) physical activity can help you feel more energized and feel less overwhelmed.

Seasonal depression - forecast

Treatment for seasonal affective disorder is usually effective and the outcome is usually good. But some women may experience seasonal affective disorder throughout their lives.

Seasonal depression is a mental disorder in the autumn-spring period, in which symptoms appear atypical depression. This mental disorder lasts from autumn to mid-spring, including winter (winter depression). This disorder affects 5% of the world's population. And in studies conducted in Alaska, they found seasonal disease every fourth local resident. However, on the contrary, there are also people suffering from mental disorder with the arrival of summer

Causes of seasonal depression

The cause of autumn, spring, winter depression is the inhibition in the brain of the transmission of impulses from neuron to neuron due to changes in the content of chemicals (acetylcholine, serotonin, norepinephrine) in the central nervous system. Studies have shown that brain serotonin content is lower in winter than in summer. And an important regulator of serotonin metabolism is melatonin, the production of which directly depends on the amount of daylight. Serotonin is a calming hormone good location spirit, and in the dark it turns into melatonin and the person begins to experience drowsiness. Seasonal disorders are mild, moderate, severe

Seasonal Depression - Symptoms

Symptoms of seasonal mental disorders are pronounced in the first half of the day, and by the evening the patient's condition improves. As with atypical depression, patients complain of low mood and decreased activity experience drowsiness and anxiety during the day, increased appetite to gluttony and a significant weight gain due to the use of in large numbers carbohydrate food. As a result, it decreases general tone, there is weakness and unpleasant sluggish sensations in the body, general physical ailments (various pains), a decrease in mental activity and a decrease in mental processes(memory, attention).

How to deal with seasonal depression in the autumn-spring period? This question is of interest to many suffering from this disease. First of all, it is important for the general practitioner to discern latent seasonal depression in a patient by symptoms, because only 30% of cases of depressive disorders are recognized. This is due to the fact that this disorder is not pronounced in terms of symptoms and most people suffering from seasonal depression consider their condition to be normal. Those who are ill believe that they have undergone a change in character and it is simply difficult for them, too lazy to do a new thing, and therefore they are absent-minded, bored, deprived of joy and irritable. During this period, separation from loved ones, failures are especially acute and painful, which can lead to irreparable suicidal actions.

Seasonal depression - treatment

The treatment of autumn-spring disorders includes light therapy, since the main cause of mental disorder is the lack of sunlight. Light acts as a stimulus metabolic processes and also strengthens the immune system. For removal depressive symptoms successfully use the Bioptron Light Therapy device, manufactured in Switzerland. By efficiency this method is not inferior to antidepressant treatment nodepress, which has a high antidepressant activity, is devoid of side effects and addiction. There are methods of suggestion with the help of which a state of relaxation and sleep is achieved. And of course, there should be no talk of any self-treatment if you have a severe form of seasonal depression. AT without fail You need to go to a psycho-neurological dispensary for help. And in the recovery phase, reverse development illness, help with depression will be provided by a psychologist

Prevention of seasonal depression

More than half of those with seasonal disorders have relapses in later life. And the number of cases among women is several times higher than among men.

Therefore, the prevention of seasonal depression includes the following rules: get up early in the morning and have a healthy night sleep; good nutrition, but not very high-calorie; healthy lifestyle life (walking, physical exercises, meeting friends), avoiding alcohol and negative situations, watching your favorite movies and listening to pleasant music, taking fragrant baths with massage, having sex.

Types of seasonal depression

Affective seasonal disorder always occurs at the same time. If deterioration is noticed within three years mental state in the same period of time, it can be argued that there is a seasonal depression. Doctors note two types of the disease: winter depression and summer depression.

The first option is the most common, and occurs in 90% of patients. Winter depression is more studied and easier to treat. It usually starts in September or October and lasts until the first half of May. With the onset of the first cold weather, for many, for no particular reason, the soul becomes sad and dreary. These are the first symptoms of autumn depression. Mostly middle-aged people, from about 20 to 45 years old, suffer from the disorder. It has been observed that with age, autumn disorder is less likely to bother patients. Women more often turn to specialists with similar problem than men.

summer depression

Emotional disorder occurs in early summer and continues until late autumn. Only 10% of the total number of people who suffer from seasonal changes suffer from summer depression. Usually similar condition passes on its own, with the onset of autumn.

Symptoms of the disease

Since the majority of people are subject to autumn depression, we will talk about this type of mental disorder. In one part of patients, the symptoms are mild, and are expressed in increased irritability, bad mood, fussiness. The mood can change within a few hours - in the morning a person woke up cheerful and cheerful, and by the evening he became sad and irritable. With this form, you can fight on your own, without the help of a specialist.

In people with a more severe course of the disease, the following symptoms are observed:

Complete indifference to the environment;
Sudden mood swings;
Constant feeling of anxiety and restlessness;
Feeling of complete hopelessness;
Nervousness;
Decreased sexual desire for a partner;
Polyphagia - increased appetite, and the feeling of hunger practically does not go away;
Hypersomnia is a long night's sleep that does not bring a feeling of rest. Also available during daytime constant desire sleep.

If with mild form seasonal depression can be dealt with on your own, but in severe cases it is better to seek help from a doctor. No need to be afraid of the words "psychiatrist" or "psychotherapist", first of all, these are specialists who help restore peace of mind and giving the opportunity to live full life in any season.

Ways to deal with seasonal depression

Doctors note that in autumn people get sick much more often, and this is not always colds. Many chronic diseases gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, heart disease and many other health problems are exacerbated during this period. This is due primarily to the reduction of daylight hours. Hormones that are produced in certain time years, completely affect human behavior. According to one version, a decrease in daylight hours reduces the production of serotonin, a hormone responsible for calming the nervous system. Lack of serotonin in the body causes depressive disorder, carbohydrate deficiency, increased appetite and fatigue. That is why people living in hot countries where summer lasts all year round are less likely to complain of depression.

How to deal with winter depression- the most frequently asked question at the appointment with a psychotherapist. If you feel that with the coming of autumn your Vital energy fading, appearing fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, use simple advice, which will help restore peace of mind and not succumb to seasonal despondency and melancholy.

Extend daylight hours

A sharp decrease in the duration of daylight hours is the most serious cause of poor mental well-being. Treatment of seasonal depression must begin with the elimination of this factor. The only way to increase the useful light time is full use morning hours. Owls, of course, will not like an early rise, but this is the only option. Weekends are best spent outside in the morning, let it be a walk in the park or outside the city.

You need to appreciate every sunny day, and spend it on the street. If you are accompanied by relatives and friends, charge positive emotions provided for the whole week. AT working time Lunch breaks do not have to be indoors. Go outside for at least 15-20 minutes, breathe fresh air. If possible, make the most of daylight indoors.

Reception of vitamin complexes

The lack of vitamins in the body seriously affects the performance and general well-being. First of all, you need to provide the body natural vitamins: herbal tea, phytobalms, tincture and rosehip decoction. Do not forget about the use of fruits and vegetables in the off-season. The vitamins and minerals received in the summer were not stored "in reserve", but were consumed by the body immediately upon admission. Therefore, even those brought from warm countries fruits and vegetables are simply necessary for our body.

To fully compensate for the lack of vitamins, you need to eat about 500 grams of fruits and vegetables daily. If this is problematic, you can take multivitamin complexes sold in a pharmacy.

Satisfying "aesthetic hunger"

After wonderful summer days and a beautiful golden autumn is felt acute shortage beautiful landscapes. The dull and gloomy area outside the window only brings boredom and indifference. Psychologists say that bright colors cheer up in the wardrobe. So take this advice and add red and yellow colors. A colorful scarf or brightly colored mittens will please the eye on the way to work, and winter activities on the street in a cheerfully colored jacket will remind you of carefree and joyful summer days. Visit cinemas, theaters, exhibitions more often, in a word, those places where you can relax your body and soul.

Drinking tonic drinks

used in moderate amounts tea or coffee is quite capable of curing seasonal depression. Tonic green tea or a cup of coffee drunk in the morning will help restore vigor of the body and spirit, at least for a short time.

In the treatment of affective seasonal disorder Doctors sometimes recommend taking antidepressants. Dosage and course of treatment should be prescribed only by a doctor, uncontrolled use medical preparations can only exacerbate the situation. The support of family and friends also plays an important role in therapy. If you feel the approach of the seasonal blues, do not dwell on this condition. Walk more, chat with friends, spend a lot of time on the street and then seasonal depression will bypass you.