Depression & Seasonal Depression Awareness

October 4, 2024

In this blog post, we aim to shed light on depression and seasonal depression. October is National Depression & Mental Health Screening Month. The beginning of Fall for many also brings experiences of seasonal depression. This blog will discuss facts and resources to identify depression.
If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. The DSM-51 defines Major Depressive Disorder as experiencing a loss of pleasure or interest engaging in activities or a persistent sad/depressed mood. A depressive episode can last anywhere from two weeks or longer and leads to significant impairment in taking part in daily life, such as work, school or social activities. Some common depression symptoms include:

• Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless everyday or nearly everyday
• Having no interest or pleasure in participating in any activities
• Getting little to no sleep, or sleeping more often than usual
• Being fatigued everyday or nearly everyday
• Feeling worthless or excessively guilty everyday or nearly everyday
• Recurring thoughts of hurting yourself or taking your own life, or attempting to take your own life

In 2021, it was estimated that 21 million adults (8.3% of the population) in the United States experienced at least one depressive episode. The prevalence of depression was higher in women, young adults (ages 18-25) and multiracial people (2). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 40% of adolescents experienced persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness in 2023. In this sample, girls and LGBTQ+ adolescents were more likely to experience depression and overall poor mental health compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers (3). Individuals who have experienced adverse life events, such as the loss of a loved one, unemployment, or a traumatic event can lead to or worsen experiences of depression. Experiencing depression can also lead to more depressive symptoms (4).

 

For some individuals, the changing of seasons from summer to fall can bring on experiences of depression. This is often due to the changes in temperature and the loss of sunlight hours. Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise known as seasonal depression, is different from Major Depressive Disorder because depressive symptoms are specifically tied to the seasons. Seasonal depressive symptoms tend to mirror non-seasonal depression symptoms mentioned above (5).

 

With both Seasonal Affective Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, it can be really difficult to participate in normal life activities while feeling depressed. 14.4 million adults and 3.7 million adolescents had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in 2021 (2). If you are experiencing depression, here are some activities that can serve as self-care and help manage symptoms (5):

• Go on a walk outside or do some physical activity
• Reach out to friends and family to let them know how you are feeling to decrease feelings of isolation
• Participate in social activities with friends and family to help improve your mood
• Find or work with your mental health professional
• If you’re experiencing seasonal depression:
  • Consult with your primary care doctor about adding Vitamin D supplements to your diet and using a light box lamp (6)

 

If you think you are depressed and would like to use an online assessment tool, try using this Depression Test screening questionnaire: https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/depression/. The Depression Test was developed from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (7). This is not a formal diagnostic assessment tool, but can help individuals understand their experiences of depression. You are encouraged to share the results of the screening with your mental health professional or physician.
References:

1American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

2National Institute of Mental Health. (2023, July). Major Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression 

3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024).Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/index.html 

4World Health Organization. (2023, March 31). Depressive disorder (depression). News Room. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression#:~:text=Depression%20results%20from%20a%20complex,be%20effective%20in%20depression%20prevention 

5Petruzzelli, G. (2023, November 29). Seasonal affective disorder, winter blues and self-care tips to get ahead of symptoms. UC Davis Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/seasonal-affective-disorder-winter-blues-and-self-care-tips-to-get-ahead-of-symptoms/2023/11 

6Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022, March 30). Seasonal affective disorder treatment: Choosing a light box. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298 

7Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams. (2001). The PHQ‐9. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 16(9), 606-613. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x/pdf