What Is Seasonal Depression? Guidance from Lexington, KY

What Is Seasonal Depression? Guidance from Lexington, KY Healthtalk Transcript

Brooke Maupin, PsyD, Clinical Psychology
Baptist Health Lexington

Brooke Maupin, PsyD:

Seasonal depression is depression that has a seasonal pattern. What that means is that you tend to experience depressive symptoms only during the fall and winter months, and things get better in the spring and summer months. It also tends to differ a little because it is characterized by overeating rather than undereating, sleeping too much instead of not enough, and a tendency toward weight gain rather than weight loss.

It's different from other mood disorders because it tends to be more associated with the weather, the time of the year, and even location on the planet. We believe that it is probably because of the [reduced] sunlight you get in the winter months and maybe vitamin D deficiency, which is also related to sunlight. It makes things more difficult.

The best treatment that we have, to our knowledge, is light therapy. Basically you set yourself up with a broad spectrum light and turn that on for about 20 to 30 minutes a day. It helps simulate natural sunlight, which can improve depression. As a matter of fact, there have been studies that show that if you're depressed and all you do that day is get up and open the windows, then you feel slightly better.

Get help for seasonal depression if you feel like you might be experiencing it. I always encourage people to reach out for help whenever they need it, especially for things like seasonal depression. We love meeting new people here, taking care of you, and helping you be your best self.

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