How Do Seasonal Changes Affect Our Mood?
Can seasonal changes affect our mood? Beyond what we may think, the mere transition from the autumn to winter months induces in almost 6% of the population a series of symptoms that would fall within what is known as seasonal affective disorder.
Light and weather conditions have a great influence on our mood. Already in Greek times, Hippocrates made reference to the importance of seasonal changes in the genesis of some diseases, as well as body changes caused by cold or heat.
There are seasons of the year when some mental illnesses worsen or produce mild symptoms such as a decrease in mood, increased tiredness, difficulty falling asleep and low concentration. If these symptoms are very marked, a seasonal affective disorder may be occurring in the individual.
Knowing the symptoms and their characteristics can help us understand their importance. Furthermore, requesting specialized help in these cases is undoubtedly an essential fact.
Seasonal changes and seasonal affective disorder
Many people do not like seasonal changes. However, this does not mean that they should suffer from a psychological disorder. The simple fact of going from summer time to autumn time, supposes an alteration for various reasons. In this way, as Ashley Strickland (2017) explains, it is common for us to experience the following characteristics when moving from one station to another:
- Changes in our routines.
- Get used to the change of light.
- Having to show more performance when the light is lower.
On average, it takes us two to three weeks to accommodate these changes. However, there are cases in which we can present a type of symptomatology capable of affecting our quality of life.
What is seasonal affective disorder?
Studies such as the one carried out by Dr. Ivay Kurlansik, from the University of Manchester, show us that years ago the hypothesis was maintained that this disorder was related to a lack of melatonia. However, today we know that it depends on many more factors, and one of them would also have to do with serotonin.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD occurs in approximately six out of every hundred people.
- It is more common in adults although it can also occur in children and adolescents.
- The number of women affected by this disorder is greater than in men.
- The APR is a form of depression that coincides according to the latest studies and research with the lack of exposure to light during the fall and winter months and hormonal and neurotransmitter changes.
- It is characterized by the presence in the individual of changes in mood typical of depression such as asthenia, feelings of hopelessness, irritability, sadness, anxiety, anhedonia, decreased libido, etc.
Why it happens?
There are many theories about why these mood changes occur in individuals in relation to seasonal changes. Thus, most researchers agree that they may be triggered by the brain’s response to decreased light.
In addition, the relationship of this factor with some key hormones (melatonin and serotonin) in the regulation of sleep-wake cycles. would be another essential aspect.
- Melatonin is a hormone that we secrete naturally whose main function is the regulation of the sleep and wake cycles. Melatonin secretion begins to increase in the afternoon, staying at high levels most of the night and decreasing when the sun rises.
- While with serotonin, the opposite occurs, increasing when the person is exposed to sunlight, its levels being very low in summer, therefore associated with symptoms such as sadness and irritability.
- That is why if the light decreases, as it usually happens in autumn and winter, hormonal imbalances may appear that will affect our moods.
Thus, when the days are shorter in autumn and winter and the hours of darkness are longer, an increase in melatonin levels and a decrease in serotonin can occur.
Being aware of this reality can allow us to be prepared. Therefore, it never hurts to consult with our doctors to take preventive measures or follow strategies to reduce its effect.
