The holidays have wound down for many people and now the long stretch of winter has started to set in. Something that also can happen for many people at this point of the year is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). While SAD can be just as debilitating as depression, SAD differs in that it comes around during the same time of year for those affected, typically when there’s less sunlight. Other symptoms can include anxiety, cravings for carbohydrates, extreme fatigue and limb heaviness, feeling hopeless or worthless and losing interest in social or other activities, difficulty concentrating, increased sleep and thoughts of death or suicide (Cleveland Clinic). If any of these sound familiar, reach out to your primary care provider or a mental health specialist so they can help you determine if SAD might be a factor in your current state of mind. You might be at a higher risk of SAD if you already struggle with major depression or bipolar disorder II, ADHD, eating disorders, and panic or anxiety disorders. There’s also a genetic factor at times, and SAD can run in families (National Institute of Mental Health).
The good news if you are dealing with SAD is that it is highly treatable, and because it’s seasonal, it will pass eventually. Evidence-based treatments include light therapy, psychotherapy, medications and vitamin D (NIMH). Again, a doctor or mental health clinician is the best place to start, and you can work with them to determine the best treatment for you.
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