Oct 31, 2008 2:32 pm US/Eastern
'Curious' About Seasonal Depression
(WBZ)
As winter nears and the days grow shorter, the winter blues set in for some people. One curious viewer asked this question on WBZ's
declareyourcuriosity.com:
How many people suffer from seasonal depression and what is the most effective way to deal with it? – Ellen, Tewksbury
Some people may notice that their mood changes with the seasons, usually becoming more depressed in the fall and winter as the days get shorter and improving in the spring when there are more hours of sunlight in the day. Lack of sunlight may be the root cause. Lack of light can upset your sleep-wake cycle or may cause alterations in a brain chemical called serotonin that affects mood.
So-called
winter depression is more common in areas of the country where the winters are long and cold. It's more common in women than in men. And it's more common among people with bipolar disorder.
The treatment is generally the same as for other types of depression. Antidepressants, psychotherapy, and regular exercise can be quite effective. Also, light therapy can provide some relief where you sit in front of a light box for 30 minutes or longer or use a dim light that goes on in the morning while you're sleeping and gets brighter over time like a sunrise.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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