Light and weather seem to have a big influence on our mood. In Greek times, Hippocrates spoke of the importance of the change of season in the genesis of certain diseases, as well as of the bodily changes caused by cold or heat.
There are seasons of the year when certain mental illnesses worsen or produce mild symptoms such as decreased mood, increased fatigue, difficulty sleeping and low concentration; if these symptoms are very severe, a sensitive seasonal affective disorder can occur in autumn and winter on the individual, disappearing in fine weather and the days are longer.
- Seasonal emotional disorders.
- Or TAE.
- Occur in about six out of a hundred people.
- Which are more common in adults.
- But can also occur in children and adolescents.
- The number of women affected by this disease is higher than that of men.
- Although biology.
- Family history.
- Environment and individual experiences make some people more likely than others to develop it.
APR is a form of depression that, according to the most recent studies and research, coincides with lack of exposure to light during the autumn and winter months and hormonal changes and neurotransmitters.
It is characterized by the presence in the individual of mood changes typical of depression, such as fatigue, feelings of despair, irritability, sadness, anxiety, anhedonia, decreased libido, etc. , also predominating vegetative symptoms such as hypersomnia, increased appetite and weight. , physical fatigue and high sensitivity to interpersonal rejection.
There are many theories as to why these mood swings occur in individuals in relation to seasonal changes, but most researchers agree that they can be caused by the brain’s response to decreased light. and the relationship with some key hormones in regulating sleep cycles. -vigilance, energy and mood, such as Serotonin and Melatonin.
Melatonin is a naturally secreted hormone whose primary function is to regulate sleep-wake cycles, melatonin secretion begins to increase in the afternoon, remaining at elevated levels most of the night and decreasing when the sun rises, while serotonin increases when the person is exposed to the sun , and its levels are very low in winter, therefore associated with symptoms such as sadness and irritability, so if light decreases, as usually happens in autumn and winter, hormonal imbalances can occur that affect our mood. Occur.
Thus, when the days are shorter in autumn and winter and the hours of darkness are longer, there can be an increase in melatonin levels and a decrease in Serotonin, sometimes creating biological conditions of bad mood, to which you have to add the story. , the context in which you are located, your personal conditions and your experience.
Image courtesy of Gianluca Gobbi