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Blue Monday, supposedly the most depressing day of the year, is an opportunity to take a look at an illness that affects many people: seasonal affective disorder. Also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it is a depression related to the change of seasons and, more specifically, the lack of natural light. To be considered seasonal depression, it must occur at least two consecutive years during the dark period, i.e. from autumn to winter.
Unlike the “winter blues”
Seasonal depression should not be confused with the winter blues. The latter affects 10% of the population, while the heap affects 2 to 4% of the population, including 75% women, and is characterized by sadness, the need to sleep and eat and therefore gain weight, a great lack of desire and energy, difficulty concentrating and even suicidal thoughts .
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Florian Ferreri, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, explained to us that it is necessary to differentiate the two syndromes: “Seasonal depression is a level higher. We differentiate between them based on the intensity, but also based on the number of consecutive days. When we are seasonally depressed, we have an increased need for sleep, we gain weight, and we find it difficult to do certain things. In contrast, a person with winter blues manages to enjoy certain moments of the day, for example when watching a film in the cinema.
Light, the best medicine
Light exposure is an effective way to combat seasonal depression. “You have to go out and continue to do this every day from September,” advises doctor Florian Ferreri. But sometimes natural light is not enough in autumn or winter, so don’t hesitate to use artificial light. “Light therapy is very good. There are centers that do this, but you can also buy suitable equipment yourself. It is a light with a very strong intensity and it is best to expose yourself to it for 30 minutes a day.” In the morning. It is a very strong light but does not damage the retina and is very effective against seasonal depression.”
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Healthy diet and vitamin D
As in the fight against all diseases, a healthy lifestyle is very important, emphasizes the psychiatrist and university lecturer at the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris: “Even if we have less energy, we have to do sport. Diet is also important, you.” You need to eat as balanced a diet as possible and avoid foods that are too high in fat, although during holidays and cold weather we tend to eat foods rich in saturated fat. You also need to think about taking vitamin D. It is synthesized thanks to sunlight, which means that in winter we generally lack it,” recommends the psychotherapist.
Possible antidepressants
In case of severe seasonal affective disorder, you should not hesitate to consult a doctor as it can have serious consequences, Doctor Ferreri warned us: “If you can no longer work or carry out your daily activities, antidepressant treatment may be necessary.” Above all , if it occurs again every year. It can also have consequences for the couple, such as disinvestment, a decrease in libido, or simply a general lack of enthusiasm. That’s why you have to take care of yourself in the winter and not wait and tell yourself that it will pass in the spring.”
It is therefore very important not to take seasonal affective disorder lightly and seek medical advice especially during this pandemic period as this disease is easily treatable.
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