The time of flu is just retreating, but with its departure, a new menace rears its head. Seasonal Depression, the uninvited guest, is here to make an appearance.

Seasonal Depression, otherwise known from its diagnostic term, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a mood disorder subset in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms during summer and/or winter. These symptoms include difficulty waking up, nausea, lack of energy, weight gain, withdrawal from social activities. For the full list of symptoms, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/basics/symptoms/con-20021047.

No one knows for sure why SAD occurs, but there are some theories. The most obvious conclusion that comes to mind is that SAD occurs in winter because of a lack of sun, melatonin and vitamin D. Lack of these important and beneficial nutrients can cause a hiccup in the circadian rhythm, or as it’s also called, our “biological clock”, which regulates feeding and sleep patterns.

Although SAD levels are higher in the cold, dark, Nordic countries, statistically, suicide rates are higher in spring and summer. This is because, as one theory states, depression and SAD levels are higher in winter, so that builds up momentum to the arrival of spring; newfound energy and the final push of determination to execute the long lived plan and finally commit suicide.

Another explanation might be allergies. Allergies suck, that’s for certain, but who would’ve thought they’d be enough to kill you? With spring comes blooming flowers, grass growing and mowing, and the trees’ emission of pollen with just about every gust of wind.

All of the wonderful joys of spring cause  up to 50 million Americans to suffer from spring time allergies, and in turn, allergies cause changes in mood and behavior. To an already mentally unstable person, that behavior might be enough to finally drive them to suicide, considering that a majority of suicidal people make an improvement during the weeks or days leading up t0 their suicide attempt.

Thankfully, however, there are treatments for SAD. Like with any mental health issue, there are various ways to treat it from medication, melatonin hormone supplements, cognitive behavioral therapy, ionized air administration, and light therapy. The most effective one, though, is light therapy.

Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, treats SAD through exposure to artificial light; it gives off bright, artificial light which mimics natural outdoor light. During light therapy you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box, or for the more on the go people, a light therapy visor, which emits light right into their eyes. Since light therapy affects brain chemicals linked to mood, it may help with other types of depression, sleep disorders, or conditions, as well.  

Another effective treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; a “problem focused” form of psychotherapy. Though it was originally designed for treatment of depression, it is now used to treat a number of other mental disorders, as well as SAD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works to solve problems and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behavior. It acknowledges the fact that there may be certain behaviors that cannot be controlled through rational thought, and accepts that those behaviors appear based on prior conditioning from environmental and other external or internal factors.

As with any other disorder, there are a variety of helpful home remedies for those who are hesitant about medicine. The first and most obvious one would be to get familiar with the symptoms and signs of SAD. Maximizing your exposure to light, whether you do that by pulling open the blinds or trimming any bushes by the windows, you are sure to make your house and your mood a lot brighter. When you’re in a slum, it’s best to try your best to continue with your routine, doing the things that you enjoy, as well as practicing healthy habits like sleeping well, eating healthy, spending time outdoors, and exercising.

For those who are taking medicine along with these home remedies, it is important to take the medicine as directed as not to cause anymore changes in your behavior. Finally, as it is the most effective treatment, it is always good to consider some form of light therapy.