The days are getting shorter, wetter and greyer again. As the weather presents itself, many people suffer from a depressed mood. Winter depression is a frequent topic, especially during the cold season. How can seasonal depression be recognised and what treatment options are available?
What winter depression is - and what it is not
Nowadays, depression is on everyone's lips. More and more people are suffering from the symptoms of such a dreary mood. The causes are often found in the body's serotonin balance. Serotonin functions as a messenger substance that is produced in the brain. Tryptophan is required for this. This amino acid is able to cross the so-called "blood-brain barrier" and thus stimulate the formation of serotonin.
The messenger substance mainly ensures that people feel happy and satisfied by transmitting signals to the corresponding nerve cells. In addition, serotonin is jointly responsible for the balance of the hormonal system. Since the messenger substance promotes feelings of happiness, it plays an essential role in depression. If there is too little serotonin in the body during the dark season, this promotes the release of the "sleep hormone". The hormone melatonin makes us sluggish, tired and listless.
In true winter depression, there is thus a lack of serotonin, while at the same time there is too much melatonin circulating in the organism. The main cause is the lack of light in winter. This is where seasonal depression differs from true depression, which is acute all year round and is not directly forced by light. Similarly, "light deficiency depression" differs from the so-called "winter blues", a purely depressive mood. The latter form is also characterised by low drive and a bad mood. But it is merely a phase that passes relatively quickly. Winter depression, on the other hand, begins in autumn and usually ends in spring, when the days become longer and brighter.
How to recognise winter depression
True winter depression combines physical and emotional symptoms. The symptoms are quite varied and not all symptoms have to occur at the same time. Nevertheless, it is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as you suspect that you are suffering from such a depression.
Accordingly, the psychological symptoms of a light-deficiency depression are particularly fear of the future, low drive, general tension and a changeable mood. Basically, the depressed mood tends to predominate. Those affected feel little or no joy. In addition, in many cases there is a feeling of hopelessness. In contrast, many people suffer from headaches, sweating attacks or cravings for high-calorie foods that contain the precursor tryptophan (e.g. chocolate, bananas, etc.).
How to treat depression in winter
It is particularly recommended to spend time outdoors and in the fresh air every day, ideally at lunchtime. Even in winter, when the sky is overcast, this is when the most natural sunlight hits the retina. If you do this regularly, you help your body to get enough light and thus boost serotonin production.
However, if there is any suspicion that the disease has long been present and has progressed, it is worth going to the doctor. After a discussion (anamnesis), the doctor will determine the possible therapy - provided that it is a genuine winter depression. Treatment depends mainly on the cause and severity of the depression. In principle, there are three options for therapy:
- light therapy
- medication
- psychotherapy
Usually, treatment with light lamps is the first choice. The patient is regularly exposed to bright light. In the meantime, the specialised trade offers appropriate daylight lamps so that the lack of light can be compensated.
In addition, special drugs (e.g. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are suitable for treating winter depression. These drugs ensure that the concentration of the "happiness hormones" increases and that the transmission of signals functions better.
Treatment with psychotherapy is particularly appropriate in severe cases. Together with appropriate medication (antidepressants), it is usually possible to improve feelings and overcome winter depression.
What winter depression is - and what it is not
Nowadays, depression is on everyone's lips. More and more people are suffering from the symptoms of such a dreary mood. The causes are often found in the body's serotonin balance. Serotonin functions as a messenger substance that is produced in the brain. Tryptophan is required for this. This amino acid is able to cross the so-called "blood-brain barrier" and thus stimulate the formation of serotonin.
The messenger substance mainly ensures that people feel happy and satisfied by transmitting signals to the corresponding nerve cells. In addition, serotonin is jointly responsible for the balance of the hormonal system. Since the messenger substance promotes feelings of happiness, it plays an essential role in depression. If there is too little serotonin in the body during the dark season, this promotes the release of the "sleep hormone". The hormone melatonin makes us sluggish, tired and listless.
In true winter depression, there is thus a lack of serotonin, while at the same time there is too much melatonin circulating in the organism. The main cause is the lack of light in winter. This is where seasonal depression differs from true depression, which is acute all year round and is not directly forced by light. Similarly, "light deficiency depression" differs from the so-called "winter blues", a purely depressive mood. The latter form is also characterised by low drive and a bad mood. But it is merely a phase that passes relatively quickly. Winter depression, on the other hand, begins in autumn and usually ends in spring, when the days become longer and brighter.
How to recognise winter depression
True winter depression combines physical and emotional symptoms. The symptoms are quite varied and not all symptoms have to occur at the same time. Nevertheless, it is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as you suspect that you are suffering from such a depression.
Accordingly, the psychological symptoms of a light-deficiency depression are particularly fear of the future, low drive, general tension and a changeable mood. Basically, the depressed mood tends to predominate. Those affected feel little or no joy. In addition, in many cases there is a feeling of hopelessness. In contrast, many people suffer from headaches, sweating attacks or cravings for high-calorie foods that contain the precursor tryptophan (e.g. chocolate, bananas, etc.).
How to treat depression in winter
It is particularly recommended to spend time outdoors and in the fresh air every day, ideally at lunchtime. Even in winter, when the sky is overcast, this is when the most natural sunlight hits the retina. If you do this regularly, you help your body to get enough light and thus boost serotonin production.
However, if there is any suspicion that the disease has long been present and has progressed, it is worth going to the doctor. After a discussion (anamnesis), the doctor will determine the possible therapy - provided that it is a genuine winter depression. Treatment depends mainly on the cause and severity of the depression. In principle, there are three options for therapy:
- light therapy
- medication
- psychotherapy
Usually, treatment with light lamps is the first choice. The patient is regularly exposed to bright light. In the meantime, the specialised trade offers appropriate daylight lamps so that the lack of light can be compensated.
In addition, special drugs (e.g. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are suitable for treating winter depression. These drugs ensure that the concentration of the "happiness hormones" increases and that the transmission of signals functions better.
Treatment with psychotherapy is particularly appropriate in severe cases. Together with appropriate medication (antidepressants), it is usually possible to improve feelings and overcome winter depression.