Women more likely to experience depressive symptoms in winter

Women experience seasonal changes in their mood throughout the year, with more depressive symptoms being experienced in winter, researchers have found.

The changes, which are more pronounced in women than men, appear to be independent of social and lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol use and physical activity, according to a study.

A report by the University of Glasgow’s institute of health and wellbeing showed low mood, tiredness and anhedonia – the inability to experi- ence pleasure from enjoyable activities – peaked in winter months among women.

The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, found a relationship between shorter days and greater depressive symptoms among women.

Daniel Smith, professor of psychiatry, said: “This very large, population-based study provides evidence of seasonal variations in depressive symptoms which appear to be more pronounced in women than in men.”

A condition often called seasonal affective disorder affects up to 3 per cent of the general population.

It is also more common for patients with a history of major depressive episodes to experience more symptoms during winter.

Analysis of the data of more than 150,000 UK Biobank participants was assessed for evidence of seasonal variation.

Researchers scored for “total depressive symptoms” plus symptoms of low mood, anhedonia, tenseness and tiredness.

Associations between the symptoms, day length and average outdoor temperatures were also assessed.

Prof Smith added: “This is a complex but important area which requires further study.”