Women are more likely to suffer from depression in winter than men

The winter time has a strong effect on the minds of women

Especially in winter, many people suffer from bad mood or depression. The cold, bad weather and the early onset of darkness contribute to these negative effects on the human psyche. Researchers have now found that women are much more likely to suffer from depression in winter than men.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow found in their study that women are more affected by the negative effects of winter on the human psyche than men. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Journal of Affective Disorders".

Winter depressive symptoms are more common in women

Women are in a worse mood and more likely to suffer from depression than men, especially in winter, explain the authors of the study. Overall, depressive symptoms are more common in winter in women than in men. This applies regardless of social factors and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity.

How does winter affect women??

The Glasgow University Institute of Health and Welfare's study showed that low levels of mood, tiredness and so-called anhedonia (inability to take pleasure in activities that are usually fun) peaked in women during the winter months. There was also an association between shorter days and greater depressive symptoms in women, but this may be explained by variations in outdoor temperature, say the experts.

A seasonal affective disorder affects about three percent of the population

The condition, formerly referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (clinically significant depressive symptoms that peak during the winter months) affects up to three percent of the general population. This occurs more often in patients who have a history of depression, explain the physicians. Those affected had more depressive symptoms in the winter, and the prescriptions for antidepressants were on the increase during this time.

Physicians examine the data of more than 150,000 participants

The researchers performed so-called cross-sectional analysis on more than 150,000 participants in the UK biobank cohort and analyzed the data to assess evidence of seasonal variations in depressive symptoms and symptoms of depressed mood, anhedonia, and fatigue. In addition, the associations between depressive symptoms, the length of the day and the average outside temperatures were also evaluated.

Seasonal fluctuations in depressive symptoms are more pronounced in women

"This very large, population-based study provides evidence of seasonal variations in depressive symptoms that seem more pronounced in women than in men," explains Professor Daniel Smith in a press release from the University of Glasgow. The experts do not yet understand why exactly this effect occurs. Interestingly, however, the changes were independent of social and lifestyle factors, suggesting a gender-specific biological mechanism. This is clearly a complex but important area that needs further investigation, say the scientists. "Physicians should be aware of these gender differences in seasonal moods to help identify and treat depressive symptoms throughout the calendar year," adds Professor Daniel Smith. (As)