Why do mountains cause depression? How do you prevent it?

Question

I noticed it in myself and others have mentioned the same thing

Answer 1

Im not sure if im on the right track, but im guessing you might be a touch claustrophobic, im with the other person who said that it makes them euphoric.....it does me too.

Answer 2

i'm not quite sure where you got this from? personally I've allways found the mountains to be the ultimate in therapy!! like someone else said it is probably related to seasonal affective disorder. an ex girlfriend of mine used to live in a city in northern italy, stunning location nestled in the mountains, she told me that they had high rates of depression they also had really limited day light, in winter the city was pretty much shaded all day by the mountains. there's a bit in your mid-brain.. i think its called the superchiasmatic nucleaus (not totally sure about this?) its a bunch of 20,000 odd brain cells just above were your optic nerves cross over, it resets your circadium rythm's acording to daylight, basically if you don't get enough light, it tells the rest of you brain to slow down and sleep more, because lots of sleeping and flexible sleeping patterns isn't really compatable with the demands of mordern western living, ie. we try to work/operate the same hours in summer or winter regardless, this struggle between demand and function is thought to be a contributing factor to depression and especially SAD. so in answer, if your in the mountains and your getting loads of day light, then I don't know?? but if your trying to live at the bottom of a ravine then i reckon it could be to do with light??

Answer 3

I've never noticed it, but I do know that certain areas such as canyons or mountains have different magnetic fields which may affect your energy or mood levels. It is said that certain natural sites such as Uluru have immense healing powers. So I would assume there are places which affect people in a negative way. I dont know if its spiritual or just the earths natural energy.

Answer 4

The altitude? Less oxygen, heart pumping harder, less oxygen to critical areas of the brain? All theory. Personally I DO not think people in the Mountains are any more or less depressed than people living elsewhere.

Answer 5

i don't think i fully understand. it could be that there isn't as much sunlight. there is something called seasonal depression and it has to do with a lack of sunlight and vitamin D in people during the winter. in most cases if you are near a mountain there will be less sunlight.

Answer 6

Its not the mountains, its you. To me mountains provide security.

Answer 7

i don't know what you are talking about. being in the mountains makes me euphoric.

Answer 8

Please consult Bach Flower Therapy.