Claire’s Story
Starting her second year of high school, Claire is eager to make new friends and strives to do well in class.
As winter approaches and the days are getting shorter, Claire notices that she is more sleepy than usual.
But even after a lot of sleep, she still has no energy and is very tired, emotional, and depressed.
When she was about to write for the school newspaper, she couldn’t concentrate and even forgot the deadline.
For the next 2 months, no friends called Claire, and when Claire complained that no one invited her to the football game, her parents started to worry if something was wrong with her question.
During the winter break, Claire made an appointment with the doctor, and she told the doctor that she was always tired and that no matter how long she slept, the feeling of exhaustion and sadness would not go away.
She also said that since August, she has gained weight and her need for carbohydrates, especially chips and cookies, has increased considerably.
After a physical exam, doctors diagnosed Claire with seasonal affective disorder, now known as seasonal major depressive disorder.
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Types and causes of seasonal major depressive disorder
Seasonal major depressive disorder, also known as winter or seasonal depression, is a type of depression that begins and ends at the same time each year.
Seasonal major depressive disorder is divided into two types: fall-onset and summer-onset. The fall-onset form is often referred to as “winter depression,” and some people who are predisposed to depression are more likely to experience depressive symptoms due to less sunlight in the fall and winter.
Although the neurobiological etiology has not been fully determined, it is generally believed that the malfunction of the brain regions responsible for regulating mood and requiring the operation of the nerve conduction serotonin is responsible for the disorder .
There are hormones in the brain that are affected by sunlight exposure and play a role in the appearance and specific symptoms of seasonal major depression (low mood, tiredness, cravings for carbohydrates, weight gain, etc.) .
Carbohydrate-rich foods are thought to have a soothing effect on the body and brain because they boost serotonin production.
Affected population
Seasonal major depressive disorder usually occurs in adulthood, and women are more likely to develop the disorder than men.
Some teens with seasonal depression have mild symptoms other than feeling unwell or irritable. But when symptoms are more severe, it can affect social relationships and academics.
Since seasonal major depression is associated with a lack of sunlight in winter, it is rarely seen in countries within 30 degrees of the equator, where there is plenty of sunshine all year round.
Image source: pixabay
Symptoms
Having fall-onset seasonal depression may have the following symptoms:
Increased need for sleep;
Increased appetite for carbohydrates;
Weight gain;
Irritable;
Cannot concentrate;
Interpersonal problems;
Heavy limbs;
Fall and winter are more depressed than any other season.
If seasonal depression occurs in the spring or summer, teens may experience weight loss, reduced sleep needs, and loss of appetite.
Exposure to the sun
There are different treatments for seasonal major depressive disorder depending on the severity of the symptoms. Treatment is different for other types of depression or bipolar disorder. Many doctors recommend that patients try to get outside as early in the morning as possible to get more exposure to the sun.
Antidepressants and/or light therapy can be used in winter when the light is not good.
Light therapy
Light therapy uses the full spectrum of light directly into the patient’s eye.
When using light therapy to treat seasonal depression, the patient sits about 0.6 meters away from bright light (about 20 times brighter than normal indoor light).
Irradiate for 10-15 minutes per day, gradually increasing to 30-45 minutes per day depending on the patient’s response to treatment.
Some teens recover within a few days with light therapy, but others take longer.
If symptoms do not stop, the doctor will increase the frequency of light therapy to twice a day. After the effect is achieved, the treatment needs to be continued until spring comes, and you can go outside to bask in the sun.
Light therapy has few side effects, but caution should be exercised if you have sensitive skin, or if you have manic tendencies (feeling high, agitated, unable to sleep).
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Antidepressants
Light therapy alone may not be enough to relieve seasonal depression, which is a type of major depressive disorder, and antidepressants can also help.
Some researchers believe that seasonal major depression is related to the natural hormone melatonin, the hormone that causes drowsiness.
Light therapy has antidepressant effects because light alters melatonin levels in the body’s nervous system and increases serotonin levels in the brain.
When light hits the retina, the body reduces the production of melatonin.
Vitamin D supplementation
In addition, health care providers may recommend vitamin D supplementation.
Those who are prone to depression should seek medical attention actively
If you feel depressed, tired, and irritable at the same time of year, you may have seasonal depression.
Open up and tell your doctor how you are feeling, follow your doctor’s advice, make lifestyle changes and get treatment.
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