Some people may experience seasonal affective disorders, called SAD, especially as winter approaches and daylight hours diminish. This can include symptoms such as lack of energy, depression, fatigue and weight gain. Depressed mood can have many causes, especially in the fall and winter. However, the decrease in sunlight is known to be the most important factor triggering seasonal depression. This leads to an imbalance in the hormones melatonin and serotonin.
The pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin in the dark. This hormone slows down physical energy, induces drowsiness and makes the person feel tired. No matter how well the person gets a good night’s sleep, he/she cannot feel rested and not getting enough sunlight causes intense secretion of melatonin hormone. As melatonin levels increase, serotonin levels decrease, triggering depression.
Fall can mark a time of change in daily routines, with the end of summer vacation and the start of school or work. For some people, these changes can cause stress and anxiety.
Emotional states such as sadness and depression can be associated with an imbalance of neurotransmitters that affect chemical communication in the brain. In particular, dysregulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can affect feelings of sadness. Emotional experiences such as sadness are regulated by a group of structures in the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system includes a number of brain structures involved in emotional processing and storage. Examples of these structures include the amygdala (a region involved in emotional processing), the hypothalamus (regulates stress responses) and the hippocampus (involved in memory and storage of emotional experiences).
The brain is a complex network, and emotional experiences are created by communication between different regions. For example, an emotional stimulus can spread from cortical regions that process visual or auditory information to the limbic system and prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex controls high-level cognitive functions such as thinking, evaluation and emotional regulation. This region plays a major role in coping with sadness and interpreting emotional experiences.
The emotional effects of autumn may differ from person to person. Autumn’s changes in nature can be a source of aesthetic pleasure for some people. Colorful leaves, the fruit harvest and cooler weather can help them feel a closer connection with nature.
While some people welcome this period in a positive way, it can be difficult for others. The important thing is to take care of your emotional health during this period and seek support when needed.
Reference:
Psychologist Merve Altındağ
Ekinci, M., OKANLI, A., &Gözüağca, D. (2010). MEVSİMSEL DEPRESYONLAR VE BAŞETME YOLLARI. Anadolu Hemşirelik ve Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 8(1), 109-112.
Kiremitçi, E., & Coşkun, H. (2017). Mevsimsellik ve öznel iyi oluş arasindaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 17(2), 239-248.
