If you have symptoms such as constant sleepiness, feeling generally unhappy and not wanting to do anything, you may have Autumn Depression. As we say goodbye to summer and enter the autumn months, reasons such as increased work responsibilities, hormonal changes, less daylight usage and cooler weather lead to Autumn Depression. So,
- Is Autumn Depression a temporary condition?
- What should we do to protect ourselves?
Expert Psychologist Seliyha Doşır, about Autumn Depression gave information.
Attention those with a history of Psychiatric Disease in their family or themselves!
Depression is when a person feels sadder and unhappy than he/she is. Except this; It is a disease that reduces a person's quality of life and seriously impairs their functionality, such as difficulty in performing daily activities, reluctance and loss of interest, low energy, feeling more tired, sleeping too much or having difficulty sleeping, gaining or losing weight for no reason.
According to research; Hormonal changes along with genetic predisposition increase a person's tendency to depression. Depressive mood poses a risk for people, especially during seasonal transitions. As we end the summer and enter the autumn months, benefiting less from daylight due to falling temperatures and shorter days causes hormonal changes in people. While the level of serotonin(happiness)hormone decreases, the level of melatonin(sleep)hormone increases; It paves the way for the development of depression in a person. Although these changes occur in everyone; Those who have had depressive illnesses in their past lives, have a family or personal history of depressive or psychiatric diseases, or have a genetic predisposition may fall into autumn depression more easily.
Unhappiness Throughout the Day May Be a Harbinger of Autumn Depression >
Difficulty waking up in the morning or waking up very early and not being able to sleep again, feeling of unhappiness that continues throughout the day, loss of interest, difficulty doing daily activities, decrease in energy, feeling of persistent fatigue, deterioration in concentration, starting to have memory difficulties, Symptoms such as increased or decreased appetite, loss of sexual desire, and increased feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy may be signs of Autumn Depression.
Lack of Activity Paves the Way for Depression
Study Scientific studies show that "doing nothing" (i.e. restricting our movements except for necessity, reducing social activities, etc.) paves the way for the cycle of depression. Due to hormonal and seasonal changes, there is a loss of motivation for movement in autumn. However, despite all the seasonal changes, it is very important for the person to continue to be active, even if it is difficult, to protect against depression. As a concept frequently used in psychotherapies, “action first, then motivation” is the correct order. In other words, it should not be forgotten that the movement itself brings motivation.
Suggestions to Avoid Autumn Depression
A sleep pattern that will provide maximum benefit from daylight should be established,
Especially when the days are getting shorter. These days, the day should start early,
Even if the weather is cloudy, 20-30 minutes of light-paced walks should be done outside or spend time outside during the day,
Sports activities should be increased,
Healthy eating should be done more than ever. Care should be taken,
Spend more time with the people you love,
You should be as active as possible.
Since Autumn Depression Starts Once, Expert Support is a Must
Despite all efforts If the depressive symptoms mentioned persist for two weeks, it is important for the person to see a mental health specialist. Because it is not possible for depression that begins in autumn to go away on its own as the person gets used to the cold weather or the decreasing daylight. If depression begins, its level may worsen and lead to recurrent depressive attacks. It is essential for the person to receive psychological treatment in order to prevent the depressive state, which innocently begins in autumn, from becoming permanent.
Read: 0
