Fighting the Winter Blues

Winter is upon us, which means short days and cold weather. Now that the excitement of the holidays is over, the remaining winter days can feel like they drag on endlessly. We see a rise in a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as the “winter blues,” in late winter. And it’s widespread: an estimated 10 million Americans are seriously affected by SAD, while millions more experience a milder form of the disorder.

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

SAD is a major depressive disorder which people experience during specific seasons, and may be related to the amount of daylight a person receives. Most commonly, someone with SAD will experience depression during the fall and winter, while symptoms wane in the spring. 

Symptoms of the winter blues vary from person to person. Some people feel less energetic, less motivated and a little “down.” Other experience symptoms that seriously affect their quality of life. Common symptoms include:

• Overeating (especially carbohydrates)

• Weight gain

• Sleeping too much

• Feelings of hopelessness & sadness

• Suicidal thoughts

• A feeling of heaviness in the arms or legs

• Low energy level

• Decreased physical activity

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Difficulty concentrating

• Social avoidance

Combatting SAD

As with other forms of depression, medication is an important tool to treat SAD and should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Because this disorder may be related to a lack of sunlight, phototherapy, or light therapy, has also been shown to alleviate symptoms. When combined with medication and/or phototherapy, individual counseling can also be an effective treatment method. A licensed counselor can help identify and change negative thought patterns and resulting behaviors to give individuals the tools to combat symptoms of SAD.

Get Support at Sound Mind Therapy

If you experience feelings of depression that seem to have a seasonal cycle, please schedule an appointment for counseling services at Sound Mind Therapy. Call us at (314) 499-9144 or complete our online appointment request form. We serve residents of Creve Coeur, MO, and other suburbs of St. Louis.

Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll discuss practical tips to help take care of yourself mentally and physically in the winter months!