Conquer Seasonal Depression

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), often referred to as seasonal depression, is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months. Most commonly presented symptoms include feeling listless, sad or down most of the day nearly every day, losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, having low energy and feeling sluggish, problems with sleeping too much, experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating/weight gain, having difficulty concentrating, feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty, and having thoughts of not wanting to live. With these presenting symptoms not better explained by actual seasonally linked stressors such as change to work/school schedule and/or seasonal unemployment. Treatment for SAD may include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications. As holistic and integrative healthcare is important, we are here to address and assist you in managing your healthcare needs which includes your mental/behavioral health needs. Please consider reaching out to us if you may be experiencing seasonal depression related symptoms. You can contact us at 501-279-9000 or text us to schedule your appointment. References: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651 Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-5 Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013