Sad - is it Just the Winter Blues?

You might have observed that many people become very dull and inactive in winter. In fact, some people even experience a deep depression and fail to carry out normal routine tasks. This state is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. It is also known as the Winter Blues. During winter, many people suffer from SAD. Some of the prominent symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder are that people find it hard to stay awake for long. For some it becomes difficult to sleep. You also feel fatigued and consequently, you are not able to carry out routine matters in a normal way. Feelings of sadness, guilt and despair are also commonly observed.

Dr. Norman Rosenthal coined the term “Winter Blues”. He came up with this expression while he was researching the effects of winter on people's moods. The Winter Blues is actually a clinical condition, which is primarily caused by lack of sunlight in winter. According to some doctors, lack of sunlight can cause depression.  Because of this, SAD is a state that needs to be observed over time. Moreover, they also assert that lack of sunlight alone does not act as a stressor with SAD-  in fact, low temperatures also restricts our activity.

Mostly people in their twenties suffer from SAD, particularly women. Milder SAD has been reported in children and adolescents. The most common symptoms are oversleeping, cravings for carbohydrates, weight gain and anxiety. Keeping this in mind, SAD, or the winter blues, is a clinical condition.  

Unlike the general perception, the Winter Blues is a medical state and not just a mood swing brought about by the cold weather as poets portray it. It has a direct link with absence or lack of light, which is required by your body to function normally.

One of the most popular treatments for treating winter blues is light therapy. According to experts, sunlight or simulated sunlight is the best treatment for SAD. You can find many products in the market for treating SAD, including dawn simulators, light boxes and customised desk lamps. The main idea of these products is to reproduce what you are lacking.

These light boxes create the equivalent, or more, light that you experience when you look outside during sunny days. The dawn simulators work with timers and increase the light in your room before you wake up. By gradual exposure to light, patients find it easier to wake, and consequently feel more relaxed. Desk lamps are the handiest preference for those who do not intend to spend too much time on this treatment. You can use the lamps as a part of your home or office furniture.

The Winter Blues can also be treated with medicines. However, medications like tricyclics are not effective in this case, as it can make you feel all the sleepier. Non-sedative SSRI medicines, including Paroxetine, Lustral and Prozac, are useful in managing the Winter Blues. Psychotropic drugs like lithium and benzodiazepines are not very helpful for curing SAD.  Counselling can also help certain individuals to overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder.