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While the cold and gloomy weather continues to cover much of the United States, articles and headlines continue to appear on "Seasonal Depression" or "The Winter Blues".
Our VERIFY team has been looking at these claims and has discovered that seasonal depression is real. She has competitors and a more official name.
THE QUESTION
Is seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) real?
THE ANSWER
Although the concept of SAD presents intellectual difficulties, the majority of institutions and experts still call it a real condition. It is recognized by national mental health organizations such as the National Institute for Mental Health and the American Psychological Association and by insurance companies.
WHAT WE HAVE FOUND
The American Psychological Association defines Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, as "a type of depression that lasts one season, usually the winter months, and disappears for the rest of the year."
Symptoms overlap with general depression and include fatigue, ubiquitous mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbances or excessive sleep, lack of starch, weight gain, feelings of hopelessness or hopelessness, and suicide ideas.
There have been studies in recent years that have called into question the CAS. One of them titled "Major Depression with Seasonal Variation: Is it a Meaningful Construction?" Was published in 2016. It does not state that the CAS is not real, but it baderts that it "is not supported by objective data".
"The simple fact of being depressed in the winter does not prove that one is depressed because of the winter," one reads in the study.
But SAD has been supported by many other studies. He is also recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychological Association.
To clarify all this, the VERIFY team has maintained with Dr. Norman Rosenthal.
He is a psychiatrist and lecturer. He is currently a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Georgetown Medical School. It is also the man who described and named for the first time the seasonal affective disorder.
"You should just see a range of different people," said Dr. Rosenthal. "Some of them are depressed only in winter, others, on the other hand, that others suffer from a mild winter blues."
Dr. Rosenthal stated that not all people experiencing sadness had SAD, but encouraged them to self-badess and seek treatment, as appropriate.
"It really depends on your situation. If you are totally disabled, you can not go to work, your relationships suffer, life does not seem to be worth it, so you'd better see the doctor, "he said. "If, on the other hand, you are just a little slow, a little less than the time that it does or not yourself, but you are not desperate, suicidal or disabled, you may be able to do a lot of things by yourself. "
Rosenthal has written a book called "Winter Blues" to explain how to explore treatments outside of the hospital. These include light therapy, exercise and more.
He pointed out that sometimes people can improve their situation outside the hospital, but it is important that people seek professional help when things do not improve.
"If you feel depressed during the dark, short days, you can do a lot of things. Recognize the problem, know that many people have it, so you're not alone, "he said. "Some people may need medicine. It's not often my first resort, but some people can get medications and I do not want to leave them the message that if they do not respond to light therapy, or they need more than light therapy, they I do not have the TAD or they are not going to answer anything else, I am open to drugs.
Facts
There is a scientific debate about seasonal affective disorder.
Major institutes like the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychological Association recognize that it is a real condition.
The data show an increase in depression during some months.
These facts are verified.
What is also a fact is that treatment is important.
The American Psychological Association recommends fighting against SAD, having as much light as possible, staying active and not isolating yourself. If none of this works, ask for the help of a professional.
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