Why do i get more dpressed in the winter?

Answer 1

Seasonal Affective Disorder
SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every winter between September and April; in particular during December, January and February.

The SAD Association is a voluntary organisation and registered charity which informs the public and health professions about SAD and supports and advises sufferers of the illness.

We are the world's longest established support organisation for Seasonal Affective Disorder and currently have over 2,000 members.

During an average winter we expect to receive around 1,000 enquiries every week, from all over the world.


Symptoms
The symptoms of SAD usually recur regularly each Winter, starting between September and November and continuing until March or April. A diagnosis can be made after three or more consecutive Winters of symptoms, which include a number of the following

Sleep problems: Usually desire to oversleep and difficulty staying awake but, in some cases, disturbed sleep and early morning wakening
Lethargy: Feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out normal routine
Overeating: Craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods, usually resulting in weight gain
Depression: Feelings of misery, guilt and loss of self-esteem, sometimes hopelessness and despair, sometimes apathy and loss of feelings
Social problems: Irritability and desire to avoid social contact
Anxiety: Tension and inability to tolerate stress
Loss of libido Decreased interest in sex and physical contact
Mood changes In some sufferers, extremes of mood and short periods of hypomania (overactivity) in spring and autumn.

Most sufferers show signs of a weakened immune, system during the Winter, and are more vulnerable to infections and other illnesses.

SAD symptoms disappear in Spring, either suddenly with a short period (e.g., four weeks) of hypomania or hyperactivity, or gradually, depending on the intensity of sunlight in the Spring and early Summer.

In sub-syndromal SAD, symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy, sleep and eating problems occur, but depression and anxiety are absent or mild.

SAD may begin at any age but the main age of onset is between 18 and 30 years.

It occurs throughout the northern and southern hemispheres but is extremely rare in those living within 30 degrees of the Equator, where daylight hours are long, constant and extremely bright.

Answer 2

The more daylight there is the better you feel. In the winter there isn't much you can do outside and you are limited to what you can do inside.. what I do is during the summer, I go tag saleing and buy some old things (cheap) that have to be repaired or stripped and painted, during the winter I work on them,"just an Idea" In the spring I sell them. I know it seems strange but there is still 24 hours in the day, If you can stay active you won't get soo depressed.

Answer 3

The amount of light effects our moods. Since the days are shorter during the winter, there is less light and we tend to get down and depressed more frequently. Make sure you get out on sunny days, and have the place where you live well lit inside. Open curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible. Use overhead lights as well as lamps to increase the light inside after the sun goes down. Playing pleasant music helps, too.

Answer 4

Ah I get it too. I get all down and sad, when the sun is setting down, I dont see things properly... It is natural for a lot of people so you dont have to worry about it.

As for the physical side of it - it is an affection on the brain, as the others already said...

As for the mental side of it - You are sad that the day is "over" at 4 already, while in summer, it would be considered as midday (well not midday, but you know what I mean). As I said, I get it too. I just feel like the day is over, that I will have to go to bed soon and that I would have to go to uni again in a bit and so on.... The best thing to do is just putting the light on as soon as the sun starts to set down/its starting to get dark... :)

Answer 5

Its a condition known as SAD and is very common. My girlfriend has it and always feels very low in the winter. The trick is to try and get as much sunlight as you can during the day (e.g. go for a walk at lunchtime rather than working your lunch) and try and get out and about on the weekends.

You can also invest in light boxes which you can have in the home, we have not used them yet but might given them a try.

Answer 6

Hey.. One recognised phenomenon is a lack of natural light in the winter. I cant remember the name of it, sorry! but it should be easy to get in a search engine xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx syndrome...

Try spending some time outside during the day around 12 to 1. It might just help.

Answer 7

The lack of sunlight contributes to SAD Seasional Affective Disorder. You can buy a light box to help eleviate it.

Those under medical supervision for this disorder are entilted to have their GP prescribe one of the light boxes as SAD is a recognised condition. Drugs can be prescribed though a good dose of daylight and fresh air can work wonders.

Just remember to wrap up warm.

Answer 8

You could be suffering from SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder

http://www.sada.org.uk/ - thats the association website

you could should visit a doctor who will gvie you advice on the best way to help with the symptoms although the best way is to put on a lot of light. You can get specially designed light bboxes to aid with the symptoms

Answer 9

It's generally because everything is drab and grey,and washed out.
We get so used to seeing the leaves on trees,and flowers in bloom,we don't think about the coming months of Autumn and Winter.
Makes us wish we could hibernate for the winter.

Answer 10

it is due to the lack of day light and sun light experienced in the Autumn/winter months.

It gets worse before its get better January is a terrible month for me after Christmas and back to work after the holidays.