Do The Winter Months Get You Down? You Might Be Experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder

It is that time of year, summer is officially over, and it smells like pumpkin spice everywhere you go. Many people cannot wait to get their cozy blankets out and go apple picking. For some, this is the most dreaded part of the year. The days are shorter and the sun shines less, and maybe you’re feeling extremely depressed. If this is the case, you may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Below are symptoms and tips for how to overcome the horrible change in mental health season changes might give you.  However, you can’t fight mental illness alone, so be sure to reach out and get some help.

Signs or symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder include but are not limited to: 

• Feeling depressed everyday or most days

• Loss of interest in activities 

• Low energy or fatigue

• Sleep problems

• Drastic change in appetite or weight

• Irritability 

• Trouble concentrating

• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt

Seasonal Affective Disorder can happen with any of the four season changes. Specifically for the transition into Fall and Winter, Symptoms can include: oversleeping, appetite increase, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates, weight gain and tiredness or low energy. The reality is: you don’t have to feel this way forever, let us help you live your life to its fullest potential. 

If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency that cannot wait, call 911. If it can wait, walk in at Forsythia Urgent Behavioral Health Care Clinic Mon-Fri 1-5pm. Or call the national suicide prevention hotline, available 24 hours everyday 1-800-273-8255