I have worked with many patients who suffer from SAD, seasonal affective disorder. This illness can disguise itself as the "winter blues." But it is much more than that. It certainly, at the very least, limits a person's ability to live freely in their world and at the most can be debilitating. As with other forms of Depression, SAD can lead to suicidal thoughts, so seeking treatment as soon as symptoms begin is important.
What is difficult with SAD is that it can sneak up on you, beginning with some "down" days that start to pile up. SAD is much more than a few days of the blues, though. It is an illness that traditionally begins in late fall. It leaves in the spring and is very treatable.
Here are the symptoms
Depression
Hopelessness
Anxiety
Loss of energy
Social withdrawal
Oversleeping
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
Weight gain
Difficulty concentrating and processing information
Risks include
Being female
Living far from the equator
Family history of SAD
Treatments include
Light Therapy
Psychotherapy
Medications
If you want to learn more, please click here to read more about this illness from the Mayo Clinic and from NAMI(National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Finally, feel free to email me with any questions. Have a great holiday!
Maria
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