Stating that the serotonin level decreases due to the shortening of the days and the decrease in daylight in the fall season we are in, Specialist Psychologist Özge Bilir said that this situation leads to seasonal depression, which is more common in women and young people.
Acıbadem Bodrum Hospital Specialist Psychologist Özge Bilir gave important information about depression, which she defined as “the state of negative affect and mental disorder of the individual who has unrealistic beliefs, distorted thoughts, negative perspective”. Stating that depression is one of the most common mood disorders in the society, Psychologist Bilir stated that in this process, the person's self-esteem decreases, he feels lack of self-confidence and unhappy, he can no longer enjoy doing the things he normally enjoys and his body speed decreases.
Emphasizing that the two clearest symptoms of depression are “a decrease in enjoyment of life, a decrease in desires and a depressed mood”, Psychologist Bilir said, “In this process, eating disorders can be seen as a result of decreased or increased appetite, as well as decreased or increased sleep. A depressed mood, restlessness, anxiety, indecision, loss of motivation, distraction, distraction, decrease in self-confidence, decrease or increase in sexual desire, decrease in the ability to solve problems; death or suicidal thoughts or plans may be accompanied.”
More common in women and young people
Stating that changes in our mood are observed with the decrease in air temperatures, Psychologist Bilir stated that “seasonal depression” is experienced as a subtype of major depression. Regarding seasonal depression, which can show its symptoms in the fall-winter months, as well as sometimes in the spring months, Bilir said, “Increased melatonin levels and less benefit from daylight, low serotonin levels cause an increase in depressive symptoms, especially due to the shortening days that start in the fall and throughout the winter. It is more common in women and young people,” he said.
“Seasonal depression is not defined as a disease alone”
Psychologist Bilir listed the main reasons that increase the emergence of seasonal depression as “emotional, environmental, genetic-biological factors, low vitamin D, living far from the Equator, bipolar disorder and major depression”. Stating that seasonal depression is not considered as a disease on its own, and that the person should be diagnosed with “major depressive disorder” for this diagnosis, Psychologist Bilir said that some tests can be performed in addition to clinical observation and expert evaluation during the diagnosis process.
Stating that there are more than one method for the treatment process after the diagnosis of depression, Psychologist Bilir said, “Psychotherapy is of great importance in the treatment process. In addition, medication can be used in the pharmacological process. Especially if psychotherapy is applied in addition to medication, the treatment process can be accelerated.”
“Light therapy is applied in half-hour periods”
Psychologist Bilir also underlined that improvement can be seen with light therapy: “Light therapies are also a method that contributes to the improvement in depression. It is aimed to reduce the depression that increases during the winter months with white light at certain intervals. It is applied to the person in the form of half-hour periods during the day or evening.”
“Benefit from daylight and fresh air”
Psychologist Bilir also mentioned that seasonal depression can be alleviated with some precautions: “Not using alcohol and substances, spending time in cool and light-controlled environments for the efficiency of the sleep cycle for spring-summer depression, trying to get daylight for autumn-winter depression, healthy sleep patterns, organizing eating habits to be rich in vitamin D and fish and benefiting from healthy foods, reducing carbohydrate-dominated nutrition, increasing social relationships, taking up hobbies, doing regular sports by including exercise in your life, choosing a spacious and airy environment where we live are among the things that can be done to cope with seasonal depression.”
Psychologist Bilir recommends getting expert psychologist support during the depression process and consulting a psychiatrist if necessary, and said that starting the psychotherapy process, especially with the cognitive behavioral therapy school, is a very effective way of treatment.
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