Ms. Zhang, who is in her 30s, is in a worse mood every autumn and winter, but will improve next spring. This year, due to work pressure, I began to resist social interaction, have negative thoughts, lack of interest in doing things, sleep disorders and other manifestations a month ago, so I came to Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University for treatment. Doctors initially diagnosed her with seasonal depression.
Seasonal depression is more common in autumn and winter, and is related to reduced light exposure.
In autumn, the days become shorter and the intensity of sunlight decreases. Studies have proved that under the influence of light changes, melatonin, which is closely related to emotions in the brain, will also change, which will lead to circadian rhythm disorders and endocrine disorders, and then abnormal mood and mental state.
Seasonal depression is a mild to moderate form of depression that tends to occur in late autumn and early winter and gradually subsides in the spring. In addition to low mood, sadness, and irritability, symptoms may also include increased appetite, reluctance to socialize, lack of energy, etc.
Some patients experience these changes at a similar time each year. It may be that because there is no obvious change in thinking ability, memory, vocational ability, etc., and it can heal itself in the coming year, it will not take the initiative to seek medical treatment for psychological or drug intervention**. Hou Zhenghua, deputy chief physician of the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, told reporters that when the patient's symptoms are more severe, they are often accompanied by obvious sleep disorders and have a higher risk of suicide. The degree of depression of the above-mentioned patient, Ms. Zhang, has significantly affected her work, life and social life, and she needs to find a professional doctor for evaluation and symptomatic**.
Women are more likely to be "hit", but they can be effectively prevented.
As far as depression is concerned, the incidence of depression in women is twice that of men, and seasonal depression is also a type of depression, and the onset of depression is also related to the personality basis, and women are relatively more sensitive and are still a 'high-risk group'. Hou Zhenghua introduced that for normal low mood, there is generally no need to worry too much, and seasonal depression can be effectively prevented. Especially women, need to actively recognize the possible impact of seasonal changes on people's emotions, scientifically arrange work and life, appropriately increase social activities, enhance interpersonal communication and emotional exchanges, reduce or avoid the impact of various life stress events as much as possible, increase the time of sunlight exposure and outdoor exercise have a certain effect on the prevention of winter depression, and at the same time, it is also necessary to work and rest regularly to ensure sufficient sleep time.
However, seasonal depression is difficult to diagnose on its own, so it's best to see a doctor for a thorough test. Hou Zhenghua said that for patients who need to take antidepressants, antidepressants such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, duloxetine or escitalopram can be used, and patients with anxiety symptoms can be combined with diazepam drugs in the short term to improve sleep and anxiety symptoms. "In general, antidepressants can take effect about three weeks after administration, and most patients' conditions will improve significantly or recover within 2-3 months, and then they can be maintained for another 8-12 months to prevent**.
*: Yangtze Evening News.