By for Summit Medical Group

By Joy Pierce Mathews for Summit Medical Group
 

If you notice that you’re feeling blue as the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, you’re not alone! Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD or seasonal depression, can make you feel down. Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder usually begin in the late fall as the days grow shorter. In many people, symptoms get worse during the winter months.

"Although it most often occurs in adult women, seasonal affective disorder can affect people of all ages," says Summit Medical Group psychologist James Korman, PsyD, ACT.  "Some people experience seasonal affective disorder each time fall and winter come around; but others might feel blue some years and not other years," Dr. Korman adds. He emphasizes, "Seasonal affective disorder can affect people in the warm months as well as the cold months."

Researchers believe people can have seasonal affective disorder for various reasons, including:

• Limited exposure to sunlight
• Limited physical activity
• Genetic predisposition
• Hormonal changes

Seasonal affective disorder symptoms are similar to symptoms of depression and include:

• Having a bigger appetite
• Gaining weight
• Sleeping longer hours
• Finding it more difficult to wake in the morning
• Feeling sleepier during the day
• Having less energy and feeling sluggish
• Having less interest in activities overall
• Having less interest in sex
• Inability to concentrate, especially in the afternoon and evening
• Feeling unsociable
• Feeling irritable
• Feeling depressed

"If you think you are experiencing seasonal depression, tell your doctor," says Dr. Korman. "Although there’s no single test for seasonal affective disorder, your doctor will ask questions, review your medical history, and examine you to rule out other problems and help determine the source of your sadness," he adds.

Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder
In addition to medications such as antidepressants, seasonal affective disorder can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which includes learning skills to think realistically, stay active, and change negative thoughts to positive thoughts. Some people find that talking about their problems (also known as talk therapy or psychotherapy) with a psychologist or licensed social worker helps them better cope with seasonal blues. Light therapy using a seasonal affective disorder lamp that imitates the sun’s rays also can help manage symptoms of seasonal disorder.

Try these things to help prevent and beat seasonal blues:

• Spend more time outside each day in the sunlight
• Sit by a window in the sunshine
• Get exercise and fresh air each day, especially in the daylight
• Stay socially active
• Learn and practice techniques to manage stress

If you’re feeling down,
call Summit Medical Group Behavioral Health and Cognitive Therapy Center today
at 908-508-8909.

Our skilled practitioners can help provide the support
you need to feel better!