Signs You Are Battling Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression is not a myth. It is a true form of depression that is triggered perennially by a change in seasons, usually at the start of fall. A person’s seasonal affective disorder will often get worse in the winter before ending in the spring when the weather is warmer and the daylight hours are extended. Without the critical help offered by a professional depression treatment program, seasonal depression can take a severe toll on your daily life and potentially lead to other addictive behaviors. If you or someone you love battles seasonal affective disorder, reach out to our skilled medical staff at New Start Recovery online or call 714-455-3409 today to discover how a mental health treatment can help.

What Causes Seasonal Depression?

It’s normal to feel a little down during the darker and colder months. You may be stuck inside more often than usual, and it gets dark early. Mild versions are often called the ‘winter blues,’ but seasonal depression is a real form of depression that impacts how a person thinks, feels, and acts every day. Mental health treatment can help you overcome this seasonal challenge to your wellbeing.

The exact causes of seasonal depression are not yet known. The lack of sunlight may trigger the condition in people who are prone to getting it every year. Some of what may bring on seasonal affective disorder may include:

Biological Clock Change

Reduced exposure to sunlight may cause some people’s biological clocks to shift. This internal clock regulates a person’s mood, sleep, and hormones. When it changes in the fall, some individuals may have trouble regulating their moods.

Brain Chemical Imbalance

Neurotransmitters in the brain send communications between nerves, including doses of serotonin which contribute to the feeling of happiness. People at risk of seasonal depression may already have less serotonin activity and could use a depression treatment program to help find a balance that will get them safely through the darker months. Because sunlight helps regulate serotonin, the lack of sun from fall through spring can be a challenge.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D from the sun also delivers a boost of serotonin for people, but less sunlight means less vitamin D, which of course, means less happiness due to a vitamin D deficiency. If you find yourself feeling less happy during the fall and winter, a depression treatment program at New Start Recovery may be able to help you.

Boost of Melatonin

Melatonin is a chemical that affects sleep patterns. An overproduction of melatonin may occur in some people, causing them to feel sluggish and sleepy during the winter due to the lack of sunlight in the fall and winter months.

Negative Thoughts

People with seasonal affective disorder will often also suffer from stress, anxiety, and negative thoughts about the winter, making it likely that these thoughts are either a cause or effect of seasonal depression.