4 Myths About Winter Depression

If winter’s dark days and dismal weather are starting to get you down, you have plenty of company. Up to six percent of U.S. adults suffer from full-blown winter depression, and another 10 to 20 percent may experience a milder case of the winter blues.

Yet for such a common problem, winter depression is surprisingly little understood. Here are the straight facts about some widely believed winter depression myths.

Myth 1: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Isn’t as Serious as Real Depression

SAD is full-fledged depression. It simply occurs around the same time each year, typically starting in the fall or winter and subsiding in the spring.

SAD is particularly likely to cause certain symptoms: lack of energy, oversleeping, weight gain, and a craving for carbs. But it also leads to other changes that can occur in any serious depression, such as feelings of hopelessness, withdrawal from others, and loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.

Explore the brain in 3D.

Myth 2: Suicides are More Common in Winter

Because winter is a blue season for many, it seems obvious that it would also be the peak time for suicides. In this case, though, the obvious turns out to be incorrect.

A study that looked at all suicide deaths in the United States over a five-year period found that the risk was highest in summer, not winter. (Incidentally, suicides also peaked on Wednesdays rather than Mondays. Go figure.)

Learn to recognize the symptoms of depression.

Myth 3: Light Therapy is a Hokey Treatment

SAD seems to be related to getting less sunlight during winter’s short days. Reduced sunlight may disrupt your internal body clock and discombobulate your brain chemistry.

Light therapy aims to compensate by having you spend some time each day sitting near an extra-bright artificial light. And there’s solid evidence that it works. In fact, light therapy is considered a first-choice treatment for SAD, either alone or combined with antidepressants.

On a sci-fi-worthy side note: A Finnish company has introduced a gadget with earbuds that aim to shine bright light through the ear canal directly to light-sensitive parts of the brain. Research on the gadget is still limited, however, and it’s currently available only in Europe.

Myth 4: Everybody Feels Gloomier in Winter

In a recent study in the journal Emotion, researchers looked at the link between weather and moods in more than 400 teens and their mothers. About half weren’t strongly affected by the weather, and the rest could be divided into three main groups.

One group, dubbed the Summer Haters, was comprised of people who were in a better mood on cool, cloudy days. Interestingly, the study authors found that weather preferences tended to run in families. But further study is needed to determine whether hating summer is something that’s inherited or learned.

Find out when it's time to consult a psychologist.

--------------------

Get the information you need to improve your health and wellness on Healthline.com.

Signs of Depression. Know the difference between a bad day and something more serious.

Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis. Early detection of MS can help slow its progression.

How to Avoid COPD Triggers. Manage COPD by avoiding or limiting exposure to known triggers.

Build a Home Gym for Under $150. Work out with low-cost and household items you already own.

Vibration Training Increases Muscle. Exercising on an unstable surface creates a more challenging workout.

More Resources: Omega 3 vs 6 vs 9...Find Depression Treatments...Poor Sleep and Fibromyalgia...Foods that Build Strong Bones