Every time the seasons change, the mood becomes sad and easily leads to depression.

We all feel down at some point in our lives. Sometimes these mood swings start and end with the changing of the seasons or the weather conditions where we live.

Many people may start to feel “blue” as the days get shorter in fall and winter (also known as “Blue winter”) and start to feel better in spring, with longer daylight hours.

change of season makes people feel sad and depressed 1 — Being too sensitive to seasonal changes in weather is also a sign of depression (illustrative photo - source Bach Mai Hospital).

In some cases, these emotional changes are more severe and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles everyday activities.

If you notice significant changes in your mood and behavior each time the seasons change, you may have seasonal affective disorder, a common mood disorder.

According to doctors at Bach Mai Hospital, depression is a pathological state of emotion, manifested by the process of inhibiting all mental activities.

Typical depression is often manifested by depressed mood (the patient's facial expression is very monotonous, always sad, wrinkles are greatly reduced or even completely gone); loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy leading to increased fatigue and decreased activity.

Symptoms persist for at least 2 weeks. Seasonal depression is not considered a separate disorder but rather a type of depression characterized by a seasonal pattern of recurrence.

The disease is typically found in populations with distinct seasonal climates. Winter is reported to be a peak, with symptoms lasting approximately 4 to 5 months each year.

According to doctors, the signs and symptoms of seasonal depression include the symptoms of depression and some other symptoms. For winter-type depression and summer-type depression. When you have the following symptoms, for 2 weeks or more, it is likely that you are depressed such as feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy;

Experiencing changes in appetite or weight; having problems with sleep…

For winter-type depression, other specific symptoms may include excessive sleeping (hypersomnia). Overeating, especially cravings for foods high in carbohydrates, weight gain, and social withdrawal.

Specific symptoms of summer-type SAD may include difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, leading to weight loss, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and violent behavior patterns.

According to doctors, millions of adults may suffer from seasonal depression, although many may not know they have it.

Seasonal depression is more common in women than men and is more common in people who live closer to the Northern Hemisphere, where daylight hours are shorter in winter.

Research suggests that people with seasonal depression may have reduced activity of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain, which helps regulate mood.

Research also shows that sunlight controls levels of molecules that help maintain normal serotonin levels, but in people with seasonal depression, this regulation doesn't work properly, leading to lower serotonin levels during the winter.

The disorder between these two active substances causes an imbalance in the biological clock, an unbalanced mood, and is prone to depression.

Other findings suggest that people with seasonal depression produce too much melatonin — a hormone that plays a central role in maintaining normal sleep-wake cycles.

Too much melatonin production can increase feelings of sleepiness.

Vitamin D deficiency can exacerbate these problems because vitamin D is thought to promote serotonin activity. In addition to vitamin D consumed in the diet, the body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight on the skin.

With less daylight in the winter, people with SAD may have lower vitamin D levels, which may further hinder serotonin activity.

Negative thoughts and feelings about winter and the restrictions and stress associated with it are common in people with seasonal depression.

Source