Depression and anxiety this time of year

[urkthehea]

I always hear people talk about getting depressed in the darker and colder months. However, for the past few weeks I have been feeling horrendous. I have recently started my placement in social work which I do enjoy but I do feel quite stressed in the role.

I've not been sleeping well, have that horrible homesickness feeling that you got as a child, less motivated etc.

I was speaking to two of my friends about how I'm feeling and they said they have been feeling the same way. I then thought back to this time last year when I had just handed in my dissertation and couldn't figure out why I was so depressed.

Don't get me wrong, I can function and most people wouldn't know. I'm better when I'm busy but I wonder, could it be to do with the weather?

Funnily enough during my studies, I read that suicide tends to happen more in the summer months than winter.

I wonder what the science surrounding this is?

I'm just hoping it passes quickly as I feel pretty horrendous. I'm already on anti depressants and really don't want to up them.

Have you been taking vitamin d supplements from October to March? It is really important, not just for your physical health but to prevent depression.

No I've not actually and have been found to be low on vitamin d. I'll get some.

That is so strange, just googled that and I've literally got most of these symptoms -

Fatigue
Not sleeping well
Bone pain - I actually just cancelled plans on Sunday due to my hips being really sore ( I'm 30 so very odd)
Depression
Loss of appetite

I bet it's that!

If your level is low you will need to make sure you take a therapeutic dose high enough to raise it. The cheap stuff you get in the chemist is probably not enough.
It is worth doing some reading around the subject. If your level is low your doctor should have prescribed a decent supplement. Especially if you are needing antidepressants.

They did but I never took it as I should consistently I think I have some left still and I will phone tomorrow to get them tested as was a year or two ago

Spring depression is a thing. The change is daylight / clock changes can mess with circadian rhythms and disrupt sleep. It might be where the term March Madness comes from. I sometimes feel a little manic this time of year for a few weeks, then it settles.