While everyone else is listening to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” you feel a stronger connection to Faith Hill’s “Where Are You Christmas.”
It’s dark when you wake up in the morning and somehow even darker before you get home at the end of the day.
On top of that, the temperature outside just keeps dropping. You wish the bathroom scale would do the same thing, but unfortunately, that’s one of the only things that’s increasing in your life.
Holiday lights and decorations in various colors, shapes, and sizes illuminate the rooftops, trees, and front porches, but you seem to only be able to see the winter blues.
Seasonal depression is real. Here are the signs of it.
Sleeping Problems
The drop in temperature and daylight can cause sleeping issues, especially for individuals dealing with seasonal depression. These changes can make it harder for someone experiencing seasonal depression to wake up in the morning. There’s nothing better than bundling up under the covers in a pocket of your own warmth on a cold day. No one wants to wake up cold, so it can be easy to want to stay in bed and sleep longer, even sleeping past the alarms that you had set for the day.
Changes in Appetite
The colder weather can also cause a change in appetite. During the winter, a lot of people crave what we know as “comfort food” or food that is high in carbohydrates. An individual experiencing seasonal depression may try to use food as a way to feel better. Carbohydrates are known as an energy and mood booster, so someone who is already experiencing low energy may try to use food as a way to feel better.
Weight Gain
Carbohydrates aren’t bad, but if they’re eaten in obsess, they can cause weight gain. If someone who has seasonal depression has this type of change in appetite, weight gain is inevitable. Due to the colder weather, individuals will also wear clothes that cover their entire body, which can make it easier to attempt to “hide” any weight gain. This can unfortunately add to the vicious cycle of binge eating during the winter months.
Low Energy
One of the main signs of seasonal depression is low energy. The lack of sun and colder temperatures can make it hard for someone to find motivation for things, even activities they once showed an interest in. The low energy levels can also cause them to self-isolate or withdraw themselves from social interactions with friends, family, and other loved ones.
Low Self-Esteem
Seasonal depression is also known as SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. This disorder means that an individual may experience signs and symptoms of depression due to the change in seasons. Individuals struggling with seasonal depression will feel sad for the majority of their day on a daily basis. Seasonal depression can cause an individual to feel hopeless or worthless. If left untreated, this can cause thoughts of suicide and even suicide attempts.
Next Steps
Seasonal depression is real. Even though you may feel alone, many people experience seasonal depression each year. There are certain things you can do to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to seasonal depression.
One of the best things that can help is going to therapy. Talking with a therapist is a great way to get to the root cause of your seasonal depression and to learn how to reduce your symptoms of depression. A therapist will also be able to help you replace that holiday fear with holiday cheer again.
If you or someone you love is struggling with seasonal depression, reach out to us today to set up a consultation for depression therapy.