As the days get shorter and the air gets chillier in the Boston area, you may find yourself feeling low more often. While these feelings may be part of the normal ups and downs of life in New England, they could also be indicative of a type of depression linked to changes in season, called seasonal affective disorder.
If you find yourself experiencing the symptoms below, you should consult with a doctor in Boston:
- Feeling depressed nearly every day
- Having low energy, feeling tired all the time
- Having problems with sleeping, especially oversleeping
- Experiencing changes in appetite or weight gain, especially craving carbohydrates
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
- Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
People with seasonal affective disorder often start experiencing depressive symptoms in the fall or winter months and start to feel better when spring returns. (There is also a less common variant with a flipped timeline, where people start experiencing symptoms in the spring or summer.)
Why Might A Change in Season Cause Depression?
Fewer hours of sunlight during the day can mess with your body’s internal sleep clock, leading to feelings of depression. Having less exposure to sunlight can also lead to a drop in serotonin, a chemical in the brain that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. It may also cause overproduction of melatonin, a hormone which promotes sleep, leading to oversleeping and feelings of lethargy.
What Can I Do About It?
There are many ways to treat SAD, including light therapy (getting a light box to increase your exposure to white light) and medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain. Talk therapy has also been shown to be helpful. Talk to your doctor about the best options for you.
Rule Out Depression
Please take this survey to see if you’re having symptoms of depression:
If you score greater than a 10, you should contact a clinician, such as a doctor or therapist:
https://www.mdcalc.com/phq-9-patient-health-questionnaire-9
Please Reach Out If You Need Help
If you’re looking for an evaluation and treatment for depression using TMS therapy (transcranial magnetic stimulation) in Boston, please feel free to be in touch anytime with Dignity Brain Health, a leading TMS clinic located in Boston with stellar reviews and years of experience: