When the days get shorter and darker, Anna feels tired a lot more often. She’s crankier, and she would rather spend her nights at home on the couch rather than out with friends and family.
Does this sound familiar?
According to Mayo Clinic, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression related to changes in seasons. It begins and ends at about the same time every year. Most people with SAD have symptoms that start in the fall and continue into the winter months.
WebMD lists symptoms of SAD as follows:
- Feeling anxious, sad, grumpy, or moody.
- A loss of interest in your usual activities.
- Craving and eating carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta, more than is usual.
- Weight gain.
- Sleeping more but still feeling tired.
- Trouble concentrating.
If you suffer with any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor. Don’t brush it off as a case of the winter blues that you have to get through on your own. It’s normal to have some days when you feel down during the winter months, but if you feel down for days at a time or can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, see your doctor.
The good news is that there are several treatment options. They include:
Light therapy. This uses a special light box so that you’re exposed to bright light. This light mimics natural outdoor light and appears to cause a change in brain chemicals linked to mood.
Light therapy is one of the first line treatments for SAD. Before purchasing a light therapy box, talk with your doctor, and familiarize yourself with the variety of features and options so that you buy a high-quality product that’s safe and effective.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is a type of therapy that focuses on problem solving and treating the challenges of daily life. According to psychologist Kelly Rohan, cognitive behavioral therapy has been associated with big improvements in seasonal depression; patients often have fewer relapses and less severe symptoms in the years following this type of therapy.
Some people with SAD benefit from antidepressant treatment, especially if symptoms are severe. If you are prescribed an antidepressant, be sure you take it the way you’re told to. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this could cause side effects or make your depression worse; talk to your doctor before making any changes in medication.
Getting blue now and then in the winter is not unusual, but if it begins to affect the quality of your life, you don’t have to suffer—help is available.
If you’d like to set up a time to meet up with Reka, you can contact her by phone at 402-881-8125, by email at reka@omaha-counseling.com, or via Twitter or Facebook.
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