To Your Health: Winter Blues

KRCU's To Your Health

Did you go to a New Year’s Eve Party? Can you believe that happened THIS MONTH? The month of January can tend to drag on. The holiday fun is over. It’s cold, there’s less daylight and the landscape is bleak. But, how can you tell the difference between “the winter blues” and something more serious? Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Onset, previously known as Season al Affective Disorder, is listed as a subtype of depression within the DSM-V, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Johnna Medina of PsychCentral explains, “The essential feature is the onset and remission of major depressive episodes at characteristic times of the year.” According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of winter-onset depressive episodes include: Irritability Low energy Hypersensitivity to rejection Oversleeping Craving for foods high in carbohydrates Weight gain These season-specific symptoms can be accompanied by those associated with a major depressive episode, including: