KSL NewsRadio's Dave & Dujanovic discuss how to combat seasonal depression. (Photo credit: Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The winter months can mean joyous occasions with Christmas and family get-togethers. However, it can also be a source for seasonal depression.
Dr. Jason Hunziker, division chief of adult psychiatry at the University of Utah Health, joined KSL NewsRadio’s Dave & Dujanovic with Dave Noriega and Debbie Dujanovic. He discusses how to combat seasonal depression.
“Utah has the sixth highest rate of seasonal depression in the nation, according to a survey by quotewizard,” Dujanovic said.
Noriega asks Hunziker if this is real depression or if it’s just like having a bad day?
“Seasonal depression is just another type of major depressive disorder that comes every season,” Hunziker said. “So, it’s easy to predict for most people. But it’s a real depressive episode.”
Noriega asks Hunziker how severe is seasonal depression?
“Everybody is different, just like all types of depression,” he said. “Some people got low energy and they kind of isolate a little more, but they force their way through it. On up to people just can’t get out of bed and they can’t function and take care of themselves.”
Hunziker says the best way to combat seasonal depression is for people to get up and move.
He says with this type of depression people tend to stay indoors a lot more.
“And that’s the opposite of what we need to do,” Hunziker said. “We need to get outside. We need that sun to hit our bodies. (And) we need that Vitamin D that comes from the sun production. We need to interact with people while we are outside. All of that stuff can help us with this type of depression.”
Hunziker says stick to a plan that will help get you up and moving.
“Even if you have no specific plan just going outside for a few minutes and sitting on the front porch, even on a cloudy day, can provide you with a bunch of energy that you need to get through your day,” he said.
As for Utah being the sixth highest rate of seasonal depression, Hunziker says because we are so far away from the equator, the days here become shorter and shorter. And because we don’t get that extra light some people become susceptible.
Dave & Dujanovic can be heard on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
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