Finding Support for Seasonal Depression from a Christian Perspective

Depression is a common topic in public discourse, with a lot of books and media attention on the topic. But with a lot of attention sometimes comes misinformation. One of the misconceptions about depression is that it presents the same in everyone. Some believe it only shows up as persistent sadness and hopelessness.

While these are important symptoms to watch for, they don’t tell the entire story. Some people who suffer from depression don’t exhibit the symptoms typically associated with it most of the time. For some, the shift to depression comes seasonally, and because they only come occasionally, they might be overlooked and dismissed.

While it might feel temporary, this kind of depression isn’t just a passing funk. It comes on during a particular season, then eases when the seasons shift, but it is still a real form of depression. It is a condition often called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It is also commonly referred to in non-clinical contexts as “seasonal depression.”

Finding Support for Seasonal Depression

When you hear the term “seasonal depression,” you might think of the “blah” feeling you get on gloomy days. But this term points to something more complex than that. Generally, it refers to the down mood some people experience during the longer, darker months of winter.

Sunshine is scarce, and natural sources of vitamin D are harder to find. While the effects can be mild in some, others see a drastic shift in their mood during this season. A mindset change might warrant a sunny vacation, light therapy, and taking prescriptions to regain a sense of normalcy.

True seasonal depression affects about 5% of people each year. Many more experience milder symptoms. It’s a more common issue in the winter months, but seasonal depression can strike any time of the year.

Winter

It’s logical to associate depression with the dark and cold winter. Days are shorter and skies grayer than at any other time of the year, and the lack of sunlight affects the body’s biology. It can also disrupt sleep cycles and lower serotonin levels, which makes it harder for the brain to regulate mood. All these ingredients can create a sadness commonly referred to as “the winter blues.”

This season also brings typically joyful holidays, but not everyone finds joy in them, despite what the famous card companies want you to believe. Some people dread the winter holidays because, for them, these special days don’t hold the beauty and magic that is so often associated with them.

Smiling families grace the fronts of carefully designed cards, painfully reminding some people of infertility, divorce, death, or broken relationships. The empty spaces under the Christmas tree can bring financial hardships or the lack of personal connections into focus.

Even the magical, twinkly lights meant to lighten rooms and moods can turn into a burden when you’re worried about paying next month’s electric bill.

Just because Christmastime is considered to be the “most wonderful time of the year” for most, there are plenty of people who feel all their suppressed emotions during this season. Old wounds from dramatic family feuds can surface, and loneliness is often highlighted when there is an empty chair around the dinner table. And for those in the northern hemisphere, Christmas and winter collide and can cause a complicated type of depression.

Spring

Most people associate springtime with a period of renewal. Many people do spring cleaning to get their house ready for the months of better weather ahead, indicating their hope of a reset in their lives. Flowers are blooming, bringing color to the monotone world, and the gray sky breaks away to make room for a bright blue canvas with patches of fluffy white clouds. It all sounds quite optimistic, but for some, it is also a season of sadness and struggle.

A mother who’s lost a child or experienced infertility may find Mother’s Day, a spring holiday, particularly painful. Easter might also conjure up sad feelings over the loss of a loved one who used to join you each year for brunch. Spring also often marks big transitions, such as graduation. Parents may feel both proud and heartbroken as their child heads to college.

Summer

Ah, summer! Summer is a carefree time of vacations, time away from school and responsibilities. Who could be depressed in summer? A rare flip side of winter SAD is summer pattern SAD, where long hot days bring restlessness, insomnia, and irritability instead of relief.

Instead of feeling energized by the long, sunny days, some people feel drained (particularly in hotter climates). Some might even become overstimulated by the sounds of lawn mowers and other outdoor machinery, which seems magnified because of open windows.

Introverted folks might feel anxiety with the social expectations. Backyard barbecues, picnics, and neighbors who spend more time outside can feel like a threat. For others, the pressure to have the “perfect summer” can also cause loneliness when they lack people to celebrate summer with.

Add to this the constant images of vacations that flood social media feeds, reminding you that you lack money for a vacation this year, and you have the elements needed for seasonal depression.

Fall

Autumn marks the return of pumpkin spice and all things cozy, but for some, the season can trigger sadness. Back-to-school season can be stressful for both parents and children, stirring up anxiety about schedules, academics, or social pressures. It can be a financial burden for those trying to buy school supplies or keep up with “the Joneses”.

For others, fall represents endings. The end of summer freedom and long, sunny days. The falling leaves might trigger some to focus on the finality of life and ensuing death as the end of another year approaches.

Situational Depression

Situational depression isn’t directly tied to the calendar, but to life events which can resurface around certain dates and seasons. While your situational depression might last while you are going through the trauma and slightly into the aftermath, the trauma you associate with it might become an annual occurrence.

If you’ve experienced a divorce, the death of a loved one, or another major trauma, you might forever marry the date and season in which it occurred with the emotions you endured.

When that date comes around again on the calendar, you could feel the same emotions that you felt when it initially happened. While this type of sadness isn’t technically associated with the seasons, it can happen annually.

Jesus and Your Therapist

When seasonal (or situational) depression sets in, it can be difficult, especially if you’re unaccustomed to these feelings. Faith-based therapy can help. Treatment might include exposure to light or cognitive behavioral therapy. Once a therapist has helped you identify your seasonal triggers, they can give you healthier ways to respond to those recurring shadows.

Your Christian therapist will guide you back to God, no matter what season it is, and encourage you in your prayer life. There is comfort in knowing that there is someone who cares and who remains steady even when blustery wind knocks down your garbage can and whips up your emotions right with it, Jesus. He is unchanging, even as leaves change colors and fall from the trees and sunlight fades just a little earlier each day.

Seasons Come, Seasons Go

That’s one of the most beautiful things about seasons: they’re temporary. If you’re feeling sad this season, remember a new one is just around the corner. Each has its own set of challenges but also reminds us of joy (if you look hard enough).

When the anniversary of a sad event comes around, change your mindset to focus on the positive. Instead of dwelling on the dreary weather, look at the roaring fire or, better yet, at God. He is above all your worries and will walk with you through even the gloomiest days.

To meet with a Christian therapist to discuss your struggles with seasonal depression, contact our office today.