5 Common Triggers for Seasonal Depression

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Depression, as all too many know all too well, is a persistent lowering of mood and energy. Seasonal affective disorder or seasonal depression, as the name suggests, is a particular form of depression that is related closely to changes in the seasons, which in turn accompany changes in weather and social patterns, among other things. Due to a variety of reasons, for example, the cold winter months near the end of the year in many parts of the world and long periods with relative lack of sunlight in remote arctic climates in certain parts of the year tend to bring about higher levels of depression and isolation and, unfortunately, suicide among many members of the population. With this information in mind, the following are 5 very common triggers of seasonal affective disorder, which also has the unfortunately fitting acronym of SAD, and some ways to keep an eye out for them.

Daily Disruption

One common trigger for a seasonal affective disorder is any disruption to the usual patterns of day and night your body may have been used to up until that point. The human body possesses a so-called circadian rhythm or biological clock which is synchronized with sunrise and nightfall to regulate internal cycles of sleep and waking up. Following this pattern ensures proper rest and optimal function. The autumn and winter months have less sunlight, which can trigger seasonal depression. Periodic exposure to bright lights, aptly called bright light therapy or phototherapy can help mitigate the effects of darkness-induced seasonal depression.

Chemical Imbalance

Another common trigger for a seasonal affective disorder is an imbalanced level of hormones and neurotransmitters in the system, which can be brought about by environmental changes or be the result of the progression of an already ongoing issue. Serotonin is a brain chemical or neurotransmitter which affects mood, and reduced levels of sunlight can lower the levels of this chemical in the body. Melatonin is a hormone that plays roles in mood regulation and sleep patterns and that can be reduced in level by seasonal changes. Taking supplements or prescriptions can help greatly in this situation.

Social Isolation

Another common trigger for a seasonal affective disorder is social isolation, which can trigger as well as be triggered by various forms of depression. The inclement climatic conditions of certain seasons may conspire to cause people to spend more time indoors and less time socializing with one another. Furthermore, a lack of interaction and engagement with professionals and friends and family members can lead to less detection, diagnosis, and prevention of symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Homeopathy treatment for depression might be a suitable option to explore in this situation, as people can benefit from an improvement in self-care while not around others as much as one would be normally.

Relevant History

Another common trigger for a seasonal affective disorder is having a family and personal history of related mental health concerns. People having seasonal affective disorder have an increased likelihood of having blood relatives who may be ailing from it or other forms of depression. Furthermore, those who themselves may be suffering from bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder may endure worsened symptoms during particular seasons. As a result, having a trusted physician take a thorough history can help screen for potential causes for concern and thereby possible solutions.

Dwelling Place

Another common trigger for a seasonal affective disorder is one's particular area of longtime residence. Living in polar regions far north or south of the equator, such as the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as in temperate zones increases the likelihood of experiencing disruptive seasonal changes such as lesser amounts of sunlight in the winter and long summer days. Therefore, moving temporarily at least may be a viable solution, assuming it is financially possible.

Anxiety and depression are things that can affect just about everyone at various stages in their lives, and seasonal affective disorder, in particular, occurs during particular seasons, as the name suggests Knowing this, it is possible to prepare oneself against the onslaught of these damaging developments before or as they happen, as both causes and symptoms make themselves apparent at some point or another. Professional help and even self-help exist in many different forms to help people cope with seasonal changes in mood, and the aforementioned common trigger warnings can be steps in a positive direction.