In this winter season, it is common for many people to tend to feel an “emotional low”, which is known as seasonal depression or seasonal affective disordera condition that, according to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), can be felt regardless of the social or economic condition one has.
Data from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) indicate that between 4 and 8% of the general population suffers from this condition, of which It is more marked among women between 25 and 30 years oldoccurring in a proportion of four of them per one man.
Likewise, those who are more likely to suffer from it are those who have a psychological illness or bipolar disorder, as well as children, adolescents, women and older adults; those who live alone, isolated or have emotional instability.
The study “Treatment measures for seasonal affective disorder: A network meta-analysis”, published in the Journal of Affective and carried out by scientists from the Jingzhou Mental Health Center and the Institute of Mental Health of Yangtze University, points out that the altitude at which we live also has a correlation important with this condition: “It is a mood disorder with a prevalence that varies between 1.5 and 10 percent. “Higher latitudes tend to have higher rates, but populations around the world may be affected to some extent by this disorder.”
For his part, Gerardo Mora Gutiérrez, professor and researcher at the Coordination of Clinical and Health Psychology of the Faculty of Psychology (FP), considers it interesting that this type of depressive manifestations occur specifically in winterand that people with depression are exacerbated and stressed the need to care for patients who have already had depression.
“Statistics tell us that there is a low incidence rate in people who have not previously had depressive episodes, but we could think that there are moments, hence its name situational or seasonal. What it tells us is that there are people who are well most of the year and, precisely in this season, regardless of whether they have not had any previous depressive manifestations, they can present it,” he mentioned.
Statistics tell us that there is a low incidence rate in people who have not previously had depressive episodes, but we could think that there are moments, hence its name situational or seasonal. What it tells us is that there are people who are well most of the year and, precisely in this season, regardless of whether they have not had any previous depressive manifestations, they can present it,” he mentioned.
Identify seasonal depression
According to the IMSS, among the most common symptoms of seasonal depression are:
- Tiredness without apparent cause.
- Apathy.
- Reluctance
- Loss of energy.
- Irritability.
- Negative and defeatist thoughts.
- Insomnia.
- Sleeping excessively or a lot of sleep during the day.
- Lack or increased appetite.
Mora Gutiérrez indicated that we must take into account the state of our health in recent years, as well as if there are recurring episodes: “A very important sign is at least having had two previous episodes in previous seasons. What does this mean? That to diagnose seasonal depressive disorder there must be at least three episodes. (…) If we suddenly notice that it occurs for a moment or in a certain situation of the year, for example, it would not be considered as such, because we would not have the evidence to support that an individual may have previously suffered from seasonal depression, and that it has been transitory.”
He also stressed the importance of distinguish between temporary feelings and a depressive statesince depression is not sadness; In addition, there are those who do not tolerate the stimuli of the season, such as Christmas lights. The specialist explained that “it is very common in mental conditions for people to stop sleeping or start sleeping more. Or changes in appetite: there may be a decrease or increase in hunger.”
There is even a lack of desire to get involved in this season’s activities, such as meetings with family and friends; “There is an apathy part that makes people gradually and progressively isolate themselves or boycott even very characteristic elements of this season,” he says.
How should you act?
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, go to a specialist to give you a diagnosis that indicates the condition you have. Although Gerardo Mora also suggests, first, identifying the moment when you feel bad, and second, carrying out a dialogue with yourself:
“If we realize that thought or the ability to contact ourselves is blocked, then we have to find an interlocutorwhich does not necessarily have to be a professional; It could be someone in the support networks that are part of our lives: family, friends or close people, even co-workers.”
If we realize that thinking or the ability to contact ourselves is blocked, then we have to look for an interlocutor, who does not necessarily have to be a professional; It could be someone in the support networks that are part of our lives: family, friends or close people, even co-workers.”
Likewise, both Mora Gutiérrez and the IMSS suggest taking advantage of phototherapy and increase physical activity with brief walks, since “as the days are shorter and the nights longer, people do not receive the sunlight necessary to activate their circadian cycle,” the researcher specified.
He stressed that not every lonely person necessarily goes through an emotional disorder and this is the importance of having an accurate diagnosis, stating that “it is one thing to be depressed by personality and another by situation or temporary state. There are those who are isolated, who have traits of introversion, who are more shy or withdrawn. Or simply, for their own peace of mind, they decide to be alone.”
