Mental Health
Mental Health
Posted on Jan 1, 2026
Why the Winter Blues Make PTSD Symptoms Worse and What Veterans Can Do About It
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Your brain needs sunlight to regulate mood and sleep. Less daylight disrupts your circadian rhythm, throwing off when your body wants to wake up or shut down. Sleep quality tanks. Energy drops. Mood follows.
Sunlight affects serotonin production. Your brain makes less of this mood-regulating neurotransmitter when you're not getting enough light. For veterans already dealing with PTSD, this drop can push symptoms from manageable to overwhelming.
Seasonal Affective Disorder affects about 5% of the general population. Veterans with PTSD face a double hit. Seasonal depression compounds existing trauma symptoms. Intrusive memories intensify. Avoidance behavior increases. Hypervigilance spikes.
Sunlight affects serotonin production. Your brain makes less of this mood-regulating neurotransmitter when you're not getting enough light. For veterans already dealing with PTSD, this drop can push symptoms from manageable to overwhelming.
Seasonal Affective Disorder affects about 5% of the general population. Veterans with PTSD face a double hit. Seasonal depression compounds existing trauma symptoms. Intrusive memories intensify. Avoidance behavior increases. Hypervigilance spikes.
Why the Winter Blues Make PTSD Symptoms Worse and What Veterans Can Do About It
Posted from military.com
PTSD
Depression
Mental Health
Edited 5 d ago
Posted 5 d ago
Responses: 3
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Lt Col Charlie Brown just on the surface of life and experience, cold weather is a damper. Everything goes into hibernation. There are restrictions on activities that some people need such as being outside in the big wide open. You are forced to be at close quarters with people because everyone is staying put. So persons with mental health challenges will certainly have a hard time.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown I've read about light therapy in the past and how it helps bring people out of depression.
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PO3 Edward Riddle
I got one of those lights prescribed to me by the VA Brother Vic, so they do have them in their Formulary.
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SGT Tiffanie G.
I have one, too, it does help. Doesn't fix everything, but it helps. Extra Vit D3/K2 helps, too, as without the natural sunlight our bodies can't make it as easily.
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I've read about this before, but I never noticed it much as I spent lots of time outdoors.
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PO3 Edward Riddle
Same here Brother Trent, weather permitting, I'm out for at least 2 hours with my metal detector. But even yet, if the weather is too hot or too cold, I go to Walmart or the mall and walk around for at least an hour. If I don't do something and stay home with my feet up, excess weight always seems to find me!!
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Cpl Vic Burk
PO3 Edward Riddle - I walk my 10,000 steps a day, mostly outdoors. It serves two purposes.
1) It keeps my back in motion. If I go two days without walking, I feel it.
2) It keeps the old ticker in shape and with two heart attacks (minor) according to MRI's my doctors advised me to walk a lot. Easy non stress form of exercise.
1) It keeps my back in motion. If I go two days without walking, I feel it.
2) It keeps the old ticker in shape and with two heart attacks (minor) according to MRI's my doctors advised me to walk a lot. Easy non stress form of exercise.
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LTC Trent Klug
Cpl Vic Burk I'm doing the same thing. I have to make it to 80 so my can get my retirements pay.
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