Dark Winter Depression: A Contradiction of Survival?

  • Thread starter Erazman
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Depression
In summary, the person experiences depressive symptoms during the winter months and thinks that it may be due to a lack of natural selection.
  • #1
Erazman
66
0
I'll have these strange stages during the dark winter season. One day i'll feel great, seeing beauty in everything, feeling ambitious, setting goals, etc...
The next day i'll feel absolute pointlessness. Nothing will seem worth living for. I'll feel alone. My motivation will be rock bottom and it will actually be many times harder than usual keeping my job. I'm not coming on here for medical help don't worry.. i posted in this forum for a reason. I'm curious as to our rapidly changing body chemistry and how it fits into evolution. It's really not in our best interest to be depressed. Its not productive at all, and some people even lose the ambition to procreate. Is this a contradiction of our basic need to survive? I don't see any benefits..
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
One thing to check would be your blood sugar. Another would be your mineral balance - phosphorus and magnesium for example. Abnormal variations of these can cause the symptoms you name, and should be ruled out before you seek more drastic help. Does your diet vary day to day? Do you go several days between fruits and vegetables?
 
  • #3
You should also fancy the notion that perhaps our race has yet to experience any analogues of the pressures we witness today that lead to depression. Our race is evolving as we speak, and maybe in a few hundred generations, depression will be a term used to describe primative human emotions.
 
  • #5
It only happens during the winter months you say? It sounds like it could be the ironically named S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Decreased amounts of sunlight received by the eyes let the brain know winter is on its way, and brain chemistry changes in some way. symptoms often include depression, paranoia, and craving for starchy food along with other things that I again can't remember. Its basically what's left of an old response that would help prepare us for some kind of hibernation or change to our living habits in the winter months. It's a good few years since I was told about this, so forgive me if I got the details all wrong or missed anything out.
 
Last edited:
  • #6
matthyaouw said:
It only happens during the winter months you say? It sounds like it could be the ironically named S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder.

SAD sucks. I also get it when its been rainy/dreary for several days at a time - not just in the winter, although it is more prominent in those months. It used to be much worse when I was a teenager... I could barely function if it was raining.

My uneducated hypothesis is that it is a lack of natural selection which led to the various brain disorders. Intelligence and our vastly larger brains are such a recent thing on the geological time scale that there hasn't been (and likely won't be) an ability for natural selection to filter out any side-effects of our imperfectly 'wired' brains. We became intelligent over such a short period of time, and we almost instantly started dominating every environment we moved to. That didn't leave much time for the leopards to kill off differentially more schizophrenics and depressed folks.

Still, I'd imagine in our early days our ancestors started reproducing almost as soon as they were able (so... early teens probably). Depression doesn't usually manifest itself until the teenage years. Scizophrenia usually shows up in the early 20s. That gives enough time for one or two children if breeding starts early before any symptoms set in.
 
  • #7
Tell me about it... I've been getting incredibly down and/or paranoid over little things lately. I think it's beginning to kick in again.

Just to address your point about why they are so common in humans:
How do we know whether any of the mental disorders that affect humans aren't occurring in other animals? If a squirrel were to be hearing voices , how would you tell? same question again but with a bipolar snail. Its a tricky one, as it would be a very valid point to say that such disorders are only so noticed in humans because there is more of an incentive for them to be studied, and they are easier to identify.
 

1. What is Dark Winter Depression?

Dark Winter Depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. It is a form of major depressive disorder that is triggered by the changing seasons and can negatively affect a person's mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.

2. What are the symptoms of Dark Winter Depression?

The symptoms of Dark Winter Depression can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include persistent feelings of sadness, low energy and motivation, changes in sleep patterns, weight gain, and difficulty concentrating. It is important to note that these symptoms must occur for at least two consecutive winters to be diagnosed as SAD.

3. What causes Dark Winter Depression?

The exact cause of Dark Winter Depression is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of factors including reduced exposure to sunlight, changes in serotonin and melatonin levels, and genetic predisposition. The lack of sunlight during winter months can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm and lead to changes in mood and behavior.

4. How is Dark Winter Depression treated?

There are several treatment options for Dark Winter Depression, including light therapy, medication, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes. Light therapy involves using a special lamp that simulates natural sunlight to help regulate the body's circadian rhythm. Antidepressant medication may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms. Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, can also be helpful in addressing underlying issues and developing coping strategies. Making lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, getting regular exposure to natural sunlight, and practicing good self-care can also be beneficial.

5. Can Dark Winter Depression be prevented?

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent Dark Winter Depression, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk and manage symptoms. These include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting regular exposure to natural sunlight, using light therapy, and seeking treatment if symptoms arise. It is also important to be aware of any family history of depression or SAD, as this may increase the risk for developing the disorder.

Similar threads

Is my fictional Solar System stable and realistic?
    • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
21
Views
1K
Why do doctors give SSRI medication to treat depression?
    • General Discussion
Replies
2
Views
7K
Programs How to continue after a major academic failure
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
6
Views
1K
A Falsifications and constraints due to GW measurements
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
19
Views
4K
The Scientist as Hero - or not
    • Art, Music, History, and Linguistics
Replies
1
Views
1K
I'm not really sure what to make of myself
    • General Discussion
Replies
28
Views
5K
The Kantian Wall - The Meaning of Space, Time, and Mass in Modern Physics
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
5K
Programs Math minor, double major, and elective classes advice
    • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
4
Views
2K
REAL girl trouble i feel horrible
    • General Discussion
6
Replies
206
Views
16K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 230)
    • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
1
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top