60 percent of the Dutch suffer more than usual from psychological complaints due to the corona crisis. Due to the approaching autumn and winter months, in combination with the tighter corona measures on Tuesday, a worrying situation may arise. One in which psychological complaints that people experience are reinforced by the winter weather. A third of the Dutch have sometimes suffered from a winter depression or a milder winter dip. Pricewise lists the remedies for winter depression and the obstacles to corona measures in it.
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Research of One today shows that almost two-thirds of the Dutch people suffer more from mental complaints due to the corona crisis. People experience an increase in loneliness (27%), stress (26%), irritability (25%), sadness (21%), sleeping problems (19%) and a number of other symptoms as a result of corona. These symptoms are very similar to those of winter depression, which affects about a third of the Dutch. However, a winter dip or depression has another cause, namely the lack of sunlight. The days are shorter and darker in winter, which disrupts the natural day and night rhythm. The lack of sunlight is not good for the production of the happiness hormones serotonin and dopamine. The body also produces more melatonin, which leads to fatigue and lack of energy. Other possible symptoms include sadness, poor concentration, irritability and increased appetite. These symptoms can worsen mental health.
Corona measures make symptom control more difficult
Marie-José van Tol, cognitive neuroscientist and psychologist at the UMCG and the RUG, advised in 2019 about a number of things that can be done to reduce a winter blues or depression: sports, going outside (more), sleeping better and maintaining social contact. The crux during the corona crisis? The corona measures make it difficult to follow these advice. In fact, we are all implementing less of the solutions that Van Tol mentions because of the measures. There is less sport, people go outside less, sleep worse and a large part of the population is lonely due to the lack of social contacts. In short: the solutions to combat winter depression are nipped in the bud during the corona period. The possible consequence is that the psychological complaints of people with winter blues or depression are reinforced by the corona measures and vice versa. So there is a potential negative synergy. One that must be broken in the interest of the mental state of the Netherlands. And that is possible, even with the stricter corona measures.
Movement and sunlight
Exercise helps to counteract the symptoms. And although since Wednesday no more than four people are allowed to play sports in a team at a distance of five feet and no more competitions are allowed, it is always possible to do a workout or run outside. Two birds with one stone; Going outside is also an important remedy for winter depression. The body is thus more in contact with sunlight. Morning light in particular slows down the production of melatonin. This is because this light then contains a relatively large amount of blue. So doing a sports session in the morning outside is a doubly good idea.
light therapy
Is sunlight not enough? Then light therapy is an option. This appears to be an effective and proven approach to mimic sunlight and reduce depression. Sitting in front of a special lamp (without UV light) for a few minutes every morning for a few days to weeks can reduce or prevent winter depression. Note: light therapy is also used to combat serious skin conditions. In that case, the basic insurance covers the costs. Light therapy treatments against winter depression are not reimbursed under this compulsory health insurance. Even if the patient has purchased or rented the lamp for home. However, the costs of a lamp can be covered by an additional insurance policy.
Online treatment
Goran Pisic, director of the GGZ institution Solutalks, expects an increase in psychological complaints as a result of the second wave of corona infections, the economic crisis and winter depression. GGZ Nederland therefore fears that the pressure on mental health care will only increase and that there will be a lack of access to care. Fortunately there is a solution; according to Pisic, an online treatment is an excellent alternative. Pisic even says that research shows that patients are often more satisfied with an online treatment than with a physical treatment. Despite the fact that regular mental healthcare institutions have to deal with waiting lists, it is usually possible to immediately start treatment with online care providers. Online GGZ treatment is reimbursed from the basic insurance. The patient does require a referral from a general practitioner, medical specialist or company doctor. It also applies here own risk. All in all, there are options to combat psychological complaints this corona winter. Make use of it. Prevention is always better than cure.
Bron: Pricewise – An increase in psychological complaints is likely due to a combination of winter depression and stricter corona measures
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