The End-of-Summer Blues (and what you can do about it)

It seems that when there is a substantial shift in the weather, or a change of season, everything gets

I know this feel

blamed on it.  Raise your hand if any of these statements sound familiar:

"I've been fighting a cold for a week now. Must be the weather change."

"I've had the hardest time getting out of bed in the morning. Must be the season."

"I've been feeling grumpy and out of sorts. Must be the cooler weather."

And so on.  I have been struggling with it myself.  It's darker in the morning, and it's harder for me to get out of the snug cocoon of my bed.  I shuffle through the day feeling like I need a nap, and I crave carbs and comfort foods.  I feel gloomy or downright emotional.  When I watch a Youtube video about an abused dog getting a second chance, I cry buckets.  We try to brush it off, but sometime it's really hard.

The truth is, SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is very real.  According to the Mayo Clinic:

Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.

Sometimes knowing why you feel out of sorts is the first step to feeling better.  However, there is one oft forgotten symptom of depression; folks who are feeling depressed often forego regular steps in their routine, and studies show that one of these steps is to stop taking their birth control.  The percentage is staggering: a University of Michigan poll showed that of almost 700 women studied, the women who were depressed were 47% less-likely to use their birth control.  It's one thing to skip a shower or ditch your exercise routine. This particular lapse could be very dangerous, particularly because an unwanted pregnancy or STI could have a very unpleasant effect upon the already present depression.

What's even more interesting, is that studies are now showing that hormonal birth control methods can actually reduce depression. Women's Health Magazine reports:

You may have heard that the Pill was linked to mood disorders like depression, but the latest research says that’s not the case. In fact, women using hormonal contraception had lower levels of depressive symptoms than non-users, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The researchers looked at hormonal birth control use and depressive symptoms in 6,654 sexually active women aged 25-34, using data from a longitudinal study conducted in 1994-2008. Women taking hormonal contraception (including the Pill, the patch, and the ring) had lower levels of depressive symptoms and were much less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year—two factors that are strongly associated with depression. 

So there you have it.  Taking the pill, or another form of hormonal birth control, can actually help you with the moodiness associated with SAD and other forms of depression.  You can boost your results by watching a funny show or film (what a coincidence: UHPP is hosting a comedy show fundraiser next month, but more on that later), and surrounding yourself with people who make you smile.  Playing with a pet also works wonders.  Of course, if you are ever concerned about your health and well-being, or if you would classify your depression as severe and/or suicidal, you should make an appointment to speak with a professional right away.  There are treatments that can be prescribed, such as medication or light therapy.  Just don't ignore what you're feeling and remember; it's normal and common for this time of year. Smile!