Bad weather conditions during the winter season cause bad mood and depression in what is known as winter depression, but the persistence of these feelings may indicate a real depression that requires psychological treatment.
German psychiatrist Eris Haute said that some people suffer from bad psychological and mood during the winter because of darkness, clouds, freezing cold and rain.
She explained that this condition is medically known as "seasonal affective disorder," and is known in common language as "winter depression."
This disorder is caused by a lack of exposure to daylight, which leads to hormonal imbalance, where a lack of exposure to daylight increases the secretion of the hormone "melatonin", which leads to feelings of fatigue and lethargy.
Other symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include mood disorders, rapid arousal, and severe hunger episodes.
Hiking in the light of the day
To cope with the winter depression, Haute advises to walk in the light of the day for half an hour per day, because this helps the body secrete the hormone of happiness, “Serotonin,” which stimulates the body and improves mood.
For his part, German psychiatrist Professor Ulrich Heigerl said that if hiking did not work during daylight in the face of winter depression, then the doctor should be consulted, since these symptoms may indicate organic diseases such as hypothyroidism or a lack of vitamin "B12" .
Despair and guilt
Hegirl added that these symptoms may also portend a true depression, especially if it is accompanied by extreme sadness, despair and feelings, guilt, self-neglect, study or work, and neglect of hobbies and social relationships.
In this case, it is necessary to undergo psychological treatment, with the possibility of taking antidepressants, given that not treating true depression may lead the patient to think about suicide.