Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Therapy in Maumelle, AR—Therapists and Counselors
What exactly does the winter have to do with mental health? A lot, as it turns out. In the cooler months of the fall and winter, some people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). We all know there’s less sunlight during the winter. What many don’t realize is that it can cause unexpected changes in mental health. If you are experiencing a depressed mood in the winter (or other specific times of year), reach out to Thriveworks Maumelle for help. We can assess, diagnose, and treat seasonal affective disorder.
What Causes Depression in the Winter?
Our mood is significantly impacted by the amount of sunlight we receive, since lower sunlight levels combined with the time change can alter melatonin (related to sleep regulation) and serotonin levels (affects mood). Additionally, people often don’t make movement a priority during the winter, and exercise is an important preventative measure to take for almost all mental health disorders. People who experience SAD usually feel some of the below symptoms during the winter and early spring, but feel fine once the days stretch out again in late spring and summer.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
SAD is a subset of major depression that includes (Mayo Clinic):
- Feeling depressed most of nearly every day
- Feeling hopeless
- Low energy
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- Sluggishness or agitation
- Difficulty concentrating
Additionally, winter- and fall-onset seasonal affective disorder may include:
- Irritability
- Trouble getting along with others
- Hypersensitivity to rejection
- Oversleeping
- Appetite changes and weight gain
Most of these symptoms are relatively harmless if experienced one at at a time—and only on occasion—but if you experience more than one at a time, or any of them for an on-going period, it’s crucial to take action. In particular, if you experience lasting changes in appetite or on-going depression, it’s a good idea to contact a counselor in order to avoid negative changes in your health. During your sessions, we’ll work on addressing any negative thoughts or behaviors that are making you feel worse. Our experienced counselors can also help you learn how to manage stress and anxiety, both of which contribute to the severity of S.A.D effects.
Treating Seasonal Depression
There are a few steps you can take to improve your mood immediately, including exercising regularly and opening the blinds and curtains in your home to let more light in. If the weather is temperate enough, consider taking daily walks outside to get more exposure to direct sunlight.
If you think you’re feeling the effects of seasonal affective disorder, know that you are not alone. It impacts thousands of people each year, many of whom aren’t aware of what’s going on, instead blaming their mood on the stress of the holidays or the cold weather. The good news is you don’t have to accept this as “just the way things are.” Treatment is available, and with it, you can enjoy life year-round.
Schedule Seasonal Affective Disorder Help at Thriveworks Maumelle
As always, Thriveworks Maumelle counselors are here for you, even if you’re not exactly sure what the problem is. We don’t have a waiting list. If you want to feel better, we can help. Thriveworks Maumelle Counseling can be reached online or by phone at 501.628.9066
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