The Renegade Psychiatrist – Beating the Winter Blues and Other Maladies 

By Larry Banta 

 

Why, my soul, are you downcast? 

Why so disturbed within me? 

Put your hope in God, 

for I will yet praise him, 

my Savior and my God. 

 – Psalms 42:5 

 

In the Psalms, David mentions several times a sense of overwhelming sadness, discouragement. For him this sometimes was due to appropriate guilt from sin, and sometimes he, like many of us, experienced doubt in God as his life was anything but easy. He cried out to God and was able to keep his faith during those difficult times. Following the sadness, he expresses that his hope is in God. 

So, what are the winter blues? Do people tend to be more depressed in the winter season? For some the change of light and the increase in darkness seems to provoke depression. This is one kind of depression. For some the holidays are difficult due to maybe some bad experiences growing up. Or maybe the loss of a loved one during the holidays or just missing those who have gone during a time of family events. This makes it all the more difficult to get through the season. Some already suffering from a mood disorder find that the change of available sunlight, especially in the more northern latitudes, leads to worsening of the depression. 

What we call depression, something more than momentary sadness, has a variety of causes. Depression can be a medical or biological disorder or purely psychological or spiritual. One biologic cause is what we call SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is due to actual changes in the brain and may need a medical approach to find relief. 

When we lose a loved one, a dear pet, or are grieving the deterioration of our loved one suffering a chronic disease, we can become depressed. If symptoms are severe, one must seek help. Usually, counseling is quite helpful or joining a grief-share group that many congregations have can be good as well. Sometimes it may be necessary to use short-term medication provided by a psychiatric provider to fully recover. During the grieving process it is helpful to talk with others and process the grief, remembering the good times and the difficult times with the loved one, ultimately keeping the many good memories. As we grow older, we lose more and more of our loved ones. If we cannot grieve effectively, it may lead to more serious depression. 

Sometimes depression comes as expressed in Psalm 51, from guilt due to sin. If we do not seek forgiveness, we separate ourselves from God. He is still there but it is like we put up a barrier and cannot experience Him as we focus on our sin. The depression from appropriate guilt can actually lead us to repentance and a return to God, so it can be helpful. 

  

Have mercy on me, O God, 

according to your steadfast love; 

according to your abundant mercy 

blot out my transgressions. 

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, 

and cleanse me from my sin! 

– Psalm 51:1-2 

 

Another type of depression may just come on with no prior stress or might be precipitated by a stressful or difficult event. It persists with a sad mood, loss or increase of appetite, poor sleep (may be too much or very little), low energy, lack of drive and motivation. School or work performance may suffer, there can be hallucinations (voices or visions of a very negative or self-destructive theme), there even can be problems with suicidal thoughts or behaviors. This can be serious and even life-threatening. 

To treat this type of depression one must seek medical help. It is a medical disorder of the brain. Some family physicians may be knowledgeable with the mild to moderate cases but often one may need the help of a psychiatric professional. If the suicidal thoughts are persistent and one cannot be kept safe from harm, it may be necessary to utilize an inpatient psychiatric service. While in the hospital one can receive counseling as well as medical treatment of the disorder. 

When the acute crisis is stabilized, counseling, along with medication, is the most effective means to recovery. (There are many good Christian counselors around but not too many Christian psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners.) The disorder is called Major Depression and is a recognized medical disorder. There are distinct changes in the brain that special scans can show when one is suffering from this kind of depression. This disorder tends to run in families and can be treated effectively. 

For full or optimum recovery, it is best to take a whole person approach that includes the psychosocial (psychological and social) aspects of the disease as well as the spiritual along with the biological/medical so that all aspects of the person are considered. I call this ‘biopsychosociospiritual’. For the medical part there are many effective and inexpensive antidepressants on the market. There are also treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS which works quite well, especially for those not responding to trials of medication. 

For those suffering with SAD, there are special lights now easily purchased at Costco or Walmart. These are called full spectrum lights, or SAD lights. These have to be 10-15000 Lux (a measurement of light power). You would generally start the light in the change of seasons. I recommend starting around September 15 and stopping around April 15. There are guidelines for the light’s use. Generally, it is placed on a table next to a comfortable chair, perpendicular to your seat. It can be used morning or evening. You sit by the light for 30 minutes with occasional glances into the light. You can be reading a book or just relaxing. It is best to avoid screen time as the screen light interferes. 

Suffering from depression makes us quite vulnerable in many ways. We need people and support, but we lack the emotional energy to connect. We may truly feel we are in the “valley of the shadow of death.” Satan tends to kick us when we are down. There are more temptations. There is a tendency to turn away from God, blame God, or just ignore Him. We can come to a point of spiritual deterioration, which can make recovery all the harder. It is important that family and close friends understand what the depressed individual is going through so that appropriate support can be offered. Blaming and assigning spiritual guilt when there is none can put someone over the edge. There needs to be someone there to help pull you through the darkness, and help to keep your relationship with God intact. God will walk with us through the darkness and help us get back to the true light.   

The rest of Psalm 23 is a reminder. 

  

Even though I walk through the valley 

of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, 

for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, 

they comfort me. 

– Psalms 23:4 

 

If during this season, or any other time, you are suffering symptoms of depression, there is hope. Effective treatment and counseling can get you back to living life again, with hope and joy, so you can beat the winter blues. 

 

Dr. Larry Banta is an author of several books, a retired psychiatrist, and a former missionary. He served in India, Mexico and Kenya. He and his wife, Evelyn, a counselor, travel together to provide consultation and training in various international locations.