Winter blues: Docs warn of gloom, depression disorders

The temperature in the national Capital is dripping down and health experts have warned of increase in 

depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) cases during this time of the year.

According to doctors, the cases of depression increases by around 15 per cent during winters. Rampant mood swings, anxiety, feeling lonely, social withdraw are common symptoms of SAD or more popularly known as winter blues. “Scarcity of light causes a decrease in metabolism rate which affects our psychological, social and physical health,” said Nimesh Desai, director of Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences. Another doctor informed about Strotinine, a type of chemical that helps relay signals from one area of the brain to another decreases due to scarcity of light further elevating the feeling of sadness and isolation. “In this weather, people become more lethargic and avoid outdoors activities. Also, people get more confined to their houses due to which they have feel isolated and tend to develop negative thoughts,” said Arti Anand, psychiatrist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.