Do I Suffer from Seasonal Depression?

Seasonal depression affects 10% of adults every year, leading many people to ask, is seasonal depression genetic? If you always feel depressed during the winter, a depression treatment center can help you with those feelings and give you healthy coping skills to maintain your smile throughout the long winter months.

At Arkview Recovery Center, our mental health programs can help you with overcoming seasonal depression. We will customize your treatment program to help you with your individual needs and teach you healthy coping skills that you can use anytime seasonal depression begins to affect you. To learn more about ways to fight seasonal depression, call 717.744.0756 today to speak with our friendly staff about your particular seasonal depression issues.

Is Seasonal Depression Genetic?

Seasonal depression, AKA seasonal affective disorder (SAD), typically happens during the fall and winter when the days are shorter. While those with a history of depression are more likely to feel sadder during the winter, there is no genetic link for seasonal depression. It’s more biology-based and depends on where you live.

It wasn’t that long ago that we lived our lives according to the rising and setting sun. Today, technology allows us to work and play 24/7, but we still have the same biological makeup as our ancestors. And some people are more affected by the changing seasons than others.

The changing seasons affect our:

• Circadian rhythm – This is your biological clock that changes with the seasons. This change can make some people feel sad and tired during the winter.
• Serotonin levels – Serotonin levels are affected by sunlight and can drop during the fall and winter months. Lower serotonin levels can affect your well-being and lead to depression.
• Melatonin levels – Melatonin helps regulate your sleep, and the changing seasons can affect these levels.

Where you live has a role to play in your chances of feeling the symptoms of seasonal depression. The further away from the equator, the more likely you will be at risk of seasonal depression. States along the northern border and into Canada will see more cases of seasonal depression than places like Arizona and Florida.

Symptoms of seasonal depression can include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Social isolation
• Weight gain
• Lack of concentration
• Irritability
• Mood changes

At Arkview Recovery, we can help you overcome seasonal depression through a personalized mental health treatment program.

Ways to Fight Seasonal Depression

There are several ways to fight seasonal depression to help improve your mood and make the long winters more enjoyable. Here are small changes that you can make to your routine:

• Vitamin D supplements – Research has shown low levels of Vitamin D, which you naturally get through sunlight, are common with depression. Adding a Vitamin D supplement can increase your levels and help reduce the chances of seasonal depression.
• Stick to a schedule – Set a firm sleep schedule and get up at the same time every day.  Getting up with the rising sun and staying active until the sun goes down is the best way to fight seasonal depression.
• Exercise – Most people slow down during the winter, and this lack of exercise will affect your mood. If it’s too cold to exercise outside, there are plenty of in-home exercises you can do, like yoga and Pilates.
• Enjoy the sunshine – Maximize the amount of sun you get each day. There is nothing better than relaxing in the sun to help improve your mood.

Arkview Recovery Center Can Help You With Overcoming Seasonal Depression

At Arkview Recovery Center, we understand the fall and winter seasons can be difficult to handle alone. That is why we offer mental health programs to help with seasonal depression in our beautiful and welcoming depression treatment center. If you or a loved one suffers from seasonal depression during fall and winter, call 717.744.0756 today to get the help you need in overcoming seasonal depression.