Beat Those Winter Blues

Winter is a time when most people feel lethargic. It is the time of the year when people are the least active. Many of us think that being less active in this season is a normal cycle of life. They really don’t bother that they are in a less peppy mood.

On the other hand, there are people for whom the cold weather means lack of sunshine and in turn more than the usual winter blues. These are usually the elderly. This season can bring on a form of depression, which in clinical terms, is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Research says that the brain is affected by bright lights. Its chemistry works better and is more responsive to brighter atmospheres. No doubt people in the north are more prone to SAD than those in the south; nevertheless, SAD is a serious issue that affects around 6 out of 100 people in the United States. This disease is found to be more common among the women population and can appear as early as 20s.

Here are a few symptoms that are typical signs of SAD.

1. Craving for sweets: There is an inherent craving to eat lots of sweets and food with starch. And the Christmas season adds fuel to the fire. Sweets and goodies are in abundance in this season and one just has to stretch the hand and land on a sweet.

2. Weight gain: Another symptom that is typical of the Christmas time goodies. With all those lovely cakes and sweets on display, there is strong temptation. When it comes to people with SAD, they are simply irresistible. Then comes the weight gain, and this could be a sure sign of SAD. 

3. Heavy feeling in the limbs: People suffering from SAD usually complain of heaviness in the arms or legs.

4. Lethargy: There is a noticeable drop seen in the energy levels of people with SAD.

5. Fatigue: People suffering from SAD tend to get tired easily and find even the simple, routine chores difficult. 

6. Oversleeping: There is a marked tendency to oversleep.

7. Concentration difficulties: These people find it difficult to concentrate and are often seen brooding away, lost in thought in the middle of a conversation.

8. Irritability and sensitivity to social rejection

In general, as people tend to eat more and sleep more in the winter months, they also experience more ups and downs. There is no known cause for this. Perhaps, the shorter days and longer nights could be the reason. For those suffering from SAD, the symptoms are more serious. However, not everyone who suffers from the disease experiences the same symptoms. There are variations in both the symptoms and their seriousness.

The cause for SAD is still not fully known. Meanwhile, mental health professionals say that the lack of sunlight, changes in body temperature due to the cold weather, and hormone fluctuations could be the reason for this type of cyclical form of depression. These symptoms usually resolve as the season changes. It has been proven that all human beings, and more so people suffering from this disease, are seen to be in higher spirits as soon as spring comes. They are seen to be more active and more responsive towards the environment as well as the people. Hence, researchers speculate that the shorter winter days disturb the circadian rhythm in the body. As there is imbalance in the chemical serotonin and melatonin of the brain, this may be one of the factors responsible for the depressed mood and sleep patterns.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=341
http://www.medicinenet.com/senior_health/page2.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/depression/page2.htm#what_is_a_depressive_disorder
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dysthymia/DS01111
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/major-depression