Winter is just around the corner, and while many look forward to the joy of the holidays, this season can take a toll on mental health. About 10% of the population experiences Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the fall and winter months.
Shorter days, colder weather, and limited sunlight can lead to increased sadness, fatigue, and loss of motivation. People who live farther from the equator, where daylight is especially short, women, and young adults are at a higher risk of experiencing seasonal depression.
In this blog, we’ll further explore what seasonal depression is and review treatment options that can help bring quick and lasting relief.
What is Seasonal Depression?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the dark months of fall and winter. Many individuals affected experience shifts in their mood, energy, and sleep patterns.
Those with bipolar disorder or depression are more likely to experience SAD. The shorter days often lead to a deficiency of vitamin D production, which helps regulate mood and balance emotions.
When vitamin D levels drop, serotonin production decreases, and melatonin production increases, resulting in feelings of sluggishness and sleepiness. Your circadian rhythm, also known as your internal clock, also gets disrupted during the winter months. Your brain enters a deeper cycle of sleep, resulting in a shift in mood and energy.
Common Symptoms of SAD
Recognizing the signs of SAD can help you seek proper support and treatment. Seasonal Affective Disorder usually shows up as:
- Shifts in mood and lower energy
- Changes in sleep patterns and appetite
- Depressive episodes or persistent sadness
- Difficulty concentrating or finding motivation
These symptoms can significantly impact people’s daily lives, including their work performance and relationships. For those with an underlying mental health condition, SAD can exacerbate symptoms. Proper treatment is necessary to help alleviate symptoms and help those return to a better mental state and a more balanced life.
Treatments for Seasonal Depression
Our lifestyle can change with the winter months. Many people spend less time outside, meaning they spend less time in the sun, engage in fewer physical activities, and often isolate more. All these changes can lead to depression. Fortunately, there are many effective treatment options from lifestyle changes to medication that can help improve mood and restore energy.
Bright Light Therapy: Light therapy works by mimicking natural sunlight to help reset your body’s internal clock. It typically involves sitting near a lightbox for nearly 20 minutes per day. Most people notice improvements after 2-3 weeks of consistent use.
Psychotherapy: Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help shift negative thoughts and replace them with healthy coping behaviors to shift their mindset and mood around these darker seasons.
Antidepressant Medications: SSRIs help boost serotonin production and improve mood and motivation during the winter months. While antidepressants can be effective, it can take up to 4-6 weeks to experience their full effect.
Vitamin D Supplements: Many people have a vitamin D deficiency due to less exposure to sunlight during the winter months. Supplements, IV therapy, or simply spending time outdoors can help support mood and restore a balance of vitamin D.
Ketamine Therapy: Ketamine therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for alleviating the symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, and SAD. Ketamine can provide relief within hours or days of the initial treatment, offering relief for those who are experiencing debilitating symptoms. It works by targeting the glutamate system, which plays a role in how our brain communicates and regulates mood. By targeting the NMDA receptors, it promotes neuroplasticity and healthier, new connections to regulate mood. Research shows that up to 70% of patients experience significant improvements in their depressive symptoms following ketamine therapy.
Contact Ketamine Greater Boston
If you are experiencing SAD symptoms and are looking for quick and lasting relief, contact our team today. We are dedicated to finding the proper type of lifestyle changes and treatment options to ensure you can get back to a happier and healthier you.
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