Winter Depression May Require Treatment Plan12/26/12
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Feeling sluggish or moody
when it's darker and cold outside is not uncommon, but it could be
a sign of seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that
develops during the winter.
If sleepiness, social withdrawal and difficulty concentrating
interfere with work or personal relationships, it's time to seek
help, according to experts from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Professional help is particularly important for those who begin to
feel hopeless or have thoughts of self-harm, advised Dr. Mark Frye,
a Mayo psychiatrist.
"There are many people who experience winter blues. However, there are those who are experiencing more serious symptoms," added Dr. William Weggel, a Mayo Clinic Health System psychiatrist, in a Mayo news release. "The good news is that in most cases, we are able to find a treatment plan to help the patient through the winter months."
In most cases, people with seasonal affective disorder -- often
referred to as SAD -- can take steps in their daily lives to ease
their symptoms, these experts pointed out. They offered the
following tips to help people stay motivated and avoid the winter
- Take a walk outside. Sunlight reaches the brain through the
eyes, stimulating the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter
that affects mood. Less light results in lower serotonin levels.
Darkness also triggers the production of melatonin, which promotes
sleep. So, exposure to natural light can help ease symptoms of
- Light therapy boxes can be used as a substitute for natural
light for those who can't get outside.
- Exercise 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
- Socialize regularly with friends and family members.
One in five Americans has seasonal affective disorder, and 75
percent of those affected by the condition are women. People in
northern climates are also more likely to experience SAD.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health provides more information
seasonal affective disorder.
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