Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects 10 million Americans. The condition is sometimes called the “winter blues” and is more apt to affect women than men.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments along with First Choice Healthcare are offering ways for residents to recognize if they might have the disorder and tips that could help alleviate symptoms.
“The winter blues are very common, with many of us experiencing a mood shift during the colder, darker days of winter,” a press release from the HSCHS reads.
People may find themselves feeling more lethargic and down overall. The good news is that while the winter blues may make people feel more unhappy than usual, milder cases of the winter blues typically don’t interfere with the ability to enjoy life.
The Health Department cautions though, that if winter blues begin to permeate all aspects of a person’s life, from work to personal relationships, that person may be experiencing SAD, a subtype of major depression that is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months when there is less natural light. For many people, the symptoms start in the fall and continue on through the colder months.
Symptoms of SAD may include:
-Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
-Feeling hopeless or worthless
-Having low energy
-Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
-Problems sleeping
-Changes in your appetite or weight
-Feeling sluggish or agitated
-Having difficulty concentrating
-Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
There is treatment for the disorder that includes light therapy, psychotherapy and medication. In addition to the prescribed treatment plan for SAD, other helpful tips include making your environment sunnier and brighter, spending more time outdoors and getting regular exercise.
In addition to SAD, some people with major depression that is unrelated to the season, may experience an increase in symptoms during the late fall and winter and the health department said it’s important that a person discuss this with a behavioral/mental health professional.
“The most important take-home message is that SAD, just like other types of depression, is treatable and people should not suffer in silence,” according to the HSCHD.
Behavioral and Mental Health Services are available at First Choice Health Care, and appointments are being accepted at the Kewanee location. Their behavioral health staff are prepared to support patients ages 5 and over with issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, substance use and addictions, behavior problems, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, family/parenting issues, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and other related disorders, sexual assault, suicide prevention, trauma, and loss.
For more information or for an appointment, phone First Choice Healthcare at (309) 852-5272.
