Say hello to wet shoes, gloomy skies, and cold noses!
Have you ever noticed how much better you feel when the sun shines on your face? As winter approaches and seasons change, you or someone you know may experience mood changes and symptoms similar to depression. If the winter months are getting you down more than you think they should, you may be suffering from seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons; it begins and ends around the same time every year. Your symptoms, like most people’s, may begin in the fall season and last through the winter. Symptoms of SAD can include sadness, fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness.
“As the days get shorter, and all you want to do is to pull the covers over your head, don’t,” says
Norman Rosenthal, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine. So what can you do about it? If you think you might have SAD, talk to your doctor. Some common treatments include light therapy, medication, talk therapy, and vitamin D that may be used alone or in combination.
If you think your depression is severe or you are having suicide thoughts, visit a doctor right away.
Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 833-456-4566.
