As we head into what is sometimes one of our coldest months we should remember depression during the winter can be more than just the winter blues.  Season depression or seasonal affective disorder usually affects people who live in the north and Doctor Wallbridge Hal from the University of Manitoba says symptoms are similar to depression.  He says if there’s been a pattern that they’ve seen over a couple of years where the person will recover during the summer months and then get symptoms again in the winter that’s usually how it’s diagnosed.  He says the symptoms themselves are pretty typical of depression where a lot of times the person will have more fatigue, sleep more, eat more and gain weight.

Hal says people feeling depressed during colder months should pay a visit to their doctor.  Treatments include medication and lamps that mimic sunlight.