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Many people experience mood changes during the colder months, but seasonal depression is more than just the “winter blues.” It is a clinically recognized mood disorder that can significantly interfere with day-to-day life.
In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatments for seasonal depression, including how ketamine could be a promising innovative solution.
Understanding Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression, also referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a type of clinical depression that occurs in a recurring seasonal pattern. To receive a diagnosis, symptoms must appear during the same season for at least two consecutive years.
The most common form is winter-onset SAD, where symptoms typically start in the late fall or early winter and gradually lift as spring and summer return. There is also a less frequent variation known as summer-onset SAD, which begins in late spring or summer and tends to ease during the cooler, darker months.
Winter-onset symptoms may include:
- Low energy or constant fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy
- Sleeping more than usual
- Significant changes in appetite and weight
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Withdrawal from friends and family
Summer-onset symptoms are typically different and include:
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Increased anxiety
- Agitation or restlessness
Causes of Seasonal Depression
The exact causes of seasonal depression remain unclear, but it’s likely people with the condition will already be at-risk for depression based on psychological and biological factors. These could include things like a history of trauma, ongoing stress, or a family history of depression.
Sunlight plays a key role in boosting serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate mood, by activating proteins in the skin. It also supports the body’s natural production of vitamin D, which is essential for creating chemical messengers involved in energy, motivation, and emotional balance. Because vitamin D is made in response to sunlight, levels often drop during the winter months.
At the same time, colder weather and darker days can lead to less social activity and more time indoors, which may increase feelings of isolation and deepen symptoms of depression.
Treatments for Seasonal Depression
If you’re struggling with seasonal depression, there are several approaches you can try to help manage the condition.
Self-help strategies
Light therapy lamps and regular outdoor activities to increase light exposure.
Consistent sleep routine to help stabilize the body’s internal clock
Supplementing with vitamin D
Joining a community group and/or organizing activities with friends to reduce social isolation
Talk therapy
There may be psychological factors contributing to your depression, such as trauma or unhealthy coping mechanisms. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can help you understand these causes and develop strategies to overcome them.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most common form of psychotherapy used in treating depression.
Antidepressants
Antidepressant medications work by increasing serotonin levels, which can help stabilize mood. They are often considered a first-line treatment for depression. However, they may not be the best option for seasonal patterns, since they can take several weeks to become effective and also require time to safely taper off once winter ends.
Ketamine Therapy for Seasonal
Depression Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that has been safely used in medical settings for decades. In recent years, it has been used off-label to treat several mental health conditions, including depression. Research shows that ketamine has powerful antidepressant effects, even for people who haven’t found relief with traditional treatments.
One of the most significant advantages of ketamine is how quickly it works. While standard antidepressants can take weeks to build up in the body, the benefits of ketamine are often felt within just a few hours. This makes it especially valuable for managing seasonal depression, since symptoms can appear suddenly as the seasons change.
Ketamine for Seasonal Depression Treatment in Howell
At Reyou in Howell, New Jersey, we specialize in helping patients find relief from depression and other mood disorders through ketamine infusion therapy.
If you or a loved one struggles with seasonal depression in Howell, New Jersey, our compassionate team can help. Get in touch to learn more about our services and how they might benefit you.
