Winter depression, which is thought to be specific to adults, can also be seen in children and adolescents. Experts give important advice to parents in winter depression, which is 4 times more common in girls than boys.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Child Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten made evaluations about winter depression in children.
Winter depression is not an adult disease
Stating that winter depression can occur not only in adults but also in children and adolescents, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten said, "Winter depression is characterized by symptoms of depression such as weakness, fatigue, malaise, drowsiness, changes in appetite, impaired concentration and lack of motivation, which begin in autumn and disappear towards spring every year. Depression symptoms follow a seasonal cycle. Winter depression does not only affect adults, but can also affect children and adolescents. Symptoms of depression begin as the winter months approach, when the hours of daylight exposure decrease. When spring arrives and daylight hours start to lengthen, the symptoms go away on their own and the person returns to his/her old state completely."
Approximately 4 times more common in girls
Stating that winter depression is seen at a rate of approximately 6%, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten said, "Although it mostly occurs in the early 20s, it can also be seen in children and adolescents. Just like depression, winter depression is about 4 times more common in girls. The prevalence varies considerably from region to region, especially in those living in regions far from the equator, the risk increases."
It looks like depression symptoms
Noting that the severity of symptoms in winter depression can be mild, moderate and severe, as in other types of depression, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten said, "While mild symptoms minimally affect the person's participation in daily activities, severe symptoms can seriously interrupt daily life. The symptoms of winter depression are just like the symptoms of depression, only these symptoms occur at a specific time of the year. This time period is limited to a few months of the year during the winter season."
Pay attention to these symptoms!
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten pointed out that the symptoms of winter depression include mood changes such as sadness, restlessness, feeling hopeless and worthless, malaise, fatigue and weakness, changes in appetite, excessive cravings for sugary foods, difficulty concentrating, decreased interest in social activities and a desire to be alone.
Deterioration in mood, motivation and energy levels
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten stated that winter depression is characterized by deterioration in mood (unhappiness, sadness, restlessness), motivation (malaise, withdrawal from social activities) and energy level (fatigue, weakness).
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten said: "It is thought that the cause of winter depression is that the brain responds to the decreased daylight and this response triggers depression. It is not known exactly why this occurs in some people. Current theories focus on the brain's inability to produce certain key hormones as a result of less daylight exposure. These key hormones are those that affect the sleep-wake cycle, energy and mood."
Two important hormones
Noting that two important hormones thought to cause winter depression are serotonin and melatonin, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten said: "Melatonin is a hormone associated with sleep and its production increases in times of darkness or shorter days. Serotonin, on the other hand, is a hormone whose level increases with exposure to sunlight and depressive symptoms occur in its deficiency. In winter depression, melatonin levels increase due to shorter daylight hours and longer periods of darkness, whereas serotonin decreases and this is thought to be the biological cause of winter depression."
Noting that the treatment of winter depression varies according to the severity of the disease, Gökten gave the following information about the types of treatment:
Increasing exposure to light: Individuals with mild symptoms are recommended to spend more time outdoors in daylight. It is important to prefer light bulbs with a frequency close to daylight at home.
Phototherapy: Individuals with more severe symptoms may need to be treated with a light source that provides daylight. A special light panel is placed on a table and the person sits in front of it with their eyes open for 45 minutes every day. This treatment continues until spring.
Medication: Can be used in combination with psychotherapy and increased exposure to sunlight, but only under the supervision of a doctor. It aims to replace the chemicals in the brain that have decreased.
Psychotherapy: Psychoeducation about what winter depression is and how to manage it, including ways of coping with negative feelings and thoughts.
Parents, listen to these suggestions!
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten also gave important advice to parents:
They should definitely consult a doctor (child and adolescent psychiatry specialists) about the symptoms. It should be clarified that depressive symptoms such as sleep disorders, fatigue, weakness, changes in appetite are not related to another medical condition (hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia).
Parents should understand that this is not because the child is lazy or unwilling and should be informed about the situation.
When sharing their concerns with the child, parents should not be judgmental but rather supportive. For example, "You look sad and very tired lately, I want to do something for you, how about a medical examination first".
In addition, parents should
- Actively participate in the treatment process.
- Help the child understand that he/she is suffering from winter depression and that the symptoms will improve over time.
- Encourage the child to spend time outdoors and get some exercise.
- Try to spend quality time with the child, finding simple activities they can do together at home, keeping them company and interested.
- Be patient and know that the symptoms will not disappear in an instant.
- Help with homework. Share with the child that the concentration problem is related to the disorder and that it will pass, and ask for support from teachers if necessary.
- They should support their child to eat healthier. Encourage him/her to eat more fruits, vegetables and protein instead of sugary foods.
- Help him/her establish a regular sleep cycle.
- Take the situation seriously. Talk to the child that this situation is temporary and that everything will return to normal in time. Prevent the child from feeling alone.
