The doctor explained when autumn fatigue becomes seasonal affective disorder

With the arrival of autumn, many people note a decrease in mood, drowsiness and loss of strength, but this is not always depression, clarified Irina Krashkina, candidate of medical sciences, psychotherapist at Meditsina JSC. In a conversation with Lenta.ru, she noted that it is worth talking about seasonal affective disorder when symptoms persist for weeks and interfere with normal life.

According to her, the term “autumn depression” is used in everyday life, but experts more often talk about seasonal affective disorder, in which symptoms regularly appear in the fall and winter. Its development can be affected by a reduction in daylight hours, a change in sleep patterns, a decrease in activity and less time outside.

“Light is involved in regulating the biological clock and sleep. When daylight hours become shorter, the usual rhythm may become disrupted. A person begins to sleep more, feels tired, and finds it more difficult to concentrate. An additional role is played by stress and fatigue accumulated over the year,” the doctor explained.

Krashkina emphasized that several cloudy days and the desire to spend the evening under a blanket do not mean depression. You should be wary if changes persist for weeks: constant depression or irritability, loss of interest in usual activities, severe fatigue, sleep and appetite disturbances, problems with concentration and a feeling of helplessness. In this case, it is worth discussing the condition with a specialist.

As self-help, the doctor recommends spending more time in daylight, especially in the morning, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, staying physically active and socializing.

“Even a short walk during the day will be beneficial. You should not try to endure the condition if it gets worse. For seasonal affective disorder, your doctor may recommend psychotherapy, light therapy, or medication, but you cannot choose therapy on your own. Autumn itself does not make a person depressed, but seasonal changes affect well-being. If a bad condition becomes prolonged and interferes with life, this is a reason to seek professional help,” the psychotherapist concluded.