Why Do I Get So Depressed Every Winter?

Seasonal changes — shorter days, colder temps, less sunlight — are more than “weather stuff” for some people. They trigger real shifts in mood, energy, sleep, and motivation. When these winter-linked changes become significant and predictable year after year, that pattern may point to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

SAD is a subtype of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most often beginning in fall or early winter and lifting in spring or summer. It’s not just “feeling gloomy about winter” and it’s not a personal failing, it’s a well-recognized mood condition with biological and environmental roots.

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, our team supports people whose mood symptoms spike with seasonal change as part of our broader mood disorder services. Whether you’re braving the weather in Chicago or Aurora, Illinois, or experiencing the dismal desert doldrums in Las Vegas, Nevada, we can help you understand why you feel this way and what steps help you feel better.

What winter depression feels like

People with SAD commonly report symptoms that overlap with other forms of depression, but with a noticeable seasonal pattern:

• Ongoing low mood or sadness
• Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy
• Fatigue or low energy despite adequate sleep
• Difficulty concentrating or staying motivated
• Increased sleep (hypersomnia) and cravings for carbs or sweets
• Social withdrawal or irritability

These symptoms often begin in late fall as daylight decreases, and then lift in spring when days grow longer.

Unlike the occasional “winter blues,” SAD symptoms are predictable, recurrent, and significant enough to affect your daily functioning day after day, season after season.

SAD vs. major depression: What’s the difference?

Seasonal affective disorder is a specific pattern of depression tied to changes in light and season. Major depressive disorder (MDD), by contrast, can occur at any time of year and doesn’t follow a seasonal rhythm.

Here’s how they differ:

Onset pattern

SAD starts and ends around the same seasons each year, usually fall/winter for most people. MDD can start at any time.

Main triggers

SAD is strongly tied to reduced sunlight and circadian rhythm shifts. MDD may relate to a broader mix of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Symptom timing

SAD symptoms resolve as seasons change; MDD symptoms may persist regardless of season.

That seasonal pattern is often the clue that helps clinicians distinguish SAD from other forms of depression.

Why winter can worsen mood

Several biological and behavioral factors may underlie winter depression:

Less daylight disrupts your internal clock (circadian rhythm)

Sunlight helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle and mood chemicals. Less light can throw those systems off balance.

Changes in serotonin and melatonin

Sunlight influences neurotransmitters like serotonin (linked with mood) and melatonin (linked with sleep). Reduced light may increase melatonin and decrease serotonin, contributing to low mood and fatigue.

Social and lifestyle shifts

Cold weather often means less outdoor activity, fewer social events, and more time indoors, all of which can amplify feelings of isolation or lethargy.

These processes don’t affect everyone equally, but for those with SAD, the body’s response to seasonal change is significant and recurring.

How we can help

If you suspect your mood struggles are tied to the seasons, you’re not alone, and there are several ways our team can support you.

Personalized assessment and diagnosis

We start by listening to your story and patterns over time to understand whether your symptoms align with SAD or another mood disorder.

Evidence-based treatments

Strategies may include light therapy (to make up for lost daylight), cognitive-behavioral approaches to shift thought and behavior patterns, and medication when appropriate. We create plans that fit your life and your biology.

Psychotherapy and coping skills

Talking through your experience in individual or group therapy can help you gain insight, build resilience, and develop skills to counter the fatigue, isolation, and negative thinking that often accompany SAD.

Supportive ongoing care

We offer continuing support through the winter months so you don’t feel like you’re facing the change alone, whether via in-person visits or telehealth options.

Unlike the temporary “winter blues,” SAD is treatable. You don’t need to just endure the season.

When to reach out

If your mood consistently dips every fall or winter, if low energy and withdrawal become familiar companions, or if you’re struggling to get through your days the way you used to, it’s worth talking to someone about it.

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, we take seasonal mood patterns seriously. You deserve a winter that feels manageable, not miserable.

Call us or request a consultation online today to explore how we can help you feel steadier, supported, and more in balance, even during the darker months.