MENTAL HEALTH
life and health
w
7
DO
you get the blues at about this
time every year? Do you feel moody
and drained of energy?
Like many others, you could be
experiencing seasonal a ective disor-
der (SAD), a type of depression that
occurs at the same time every year.
For most people, symptoms begin
in the fall, continue through the
gray winter months and don’t go
away until spring brings sunny days.
Although some people experience
summer-onset SAD, winter onset is far
more common.
Knowing the signs
Symptoms of winter-onset SAD
include feelings of hopelessness,
anxiety, loss of energy, feeling heavy
in the arms and legs, withdrawal
from social activities, frequently
oversleeping, loss of interest in
favorite activities, changes in
SAD feeling may be
more than the blues
appetite, weight gain and diculty
concentrating.
ere is no known speci c cause
of SAD. As with many mental health
conditions, it is very likely that age,
genetics and the body’s natural
chemistry all play a role in the con-
dition’s development. e disorder
is more common in women than
in men and is also more common
among people who live in places
with long winter nights.
ere is no test for SAD. Health-
care providers generally make a
diagnosis based on history and symp-
toms. Providers are likely to perform
tests to rule out other illnesses.
Reach out for help
As with other forms of depres-
sion, talk therapy and medication
may help.
“Some experts recommend taking
walks during the daylight hours,”
says Kelly Hutchins, assessment/
marketing coordinator for Halifax
Regional Health System’s Center
for Behavioral Health. “Sticking to
a regular exercise routine also can
help. And staying socially active—
even if you don’t feel like it—can
also help.”
Light therapy, which uses a lamp
that mimics sunlight, may help some
who may be experiencing SAD. Side
e ects, however, may include eye-
strain or headache, and some medi-
cations can cause
sensitivity to light.
Hutchins cautions
people to check with
their healthcare pro-
vider before trying
light therapy.
Some people nd
that their symptoms disappear with
the change of seasons, even without
treatment. Many have found, how-
ever, that symptoms improve more
quickly when treated.
Treatment outcomes are generally
good, but many people nd that the
disorder continues throughout their
lives. It can sometimes turn into long-
term depression and even lead to bi-
polar disorder or thoughts of suicide.
People with seasonal depression
that recurs year aer year should
talk to a mental health professional
about prevention. It may prove
helpful to start treatment in the fall
or early winter, before symptoms
begin.
A resource for you
If you think you or someone
you know may be experiencing
SAD, Halifax Regional Health
System’s Center for Behavioral
Health may be able to help. A free,
con dential assessment is avail-
able by appointment, and you do
not need a referral. For an appoint-
ment, call
434-572-6935
or
800-535-8332
.
Don’t live with SAD. Our Center
for Behavioral Health provides
free, confidential assessments.
Call
434-572-6935
or toll-free at
800-535-8332
to learn more.