Ask-A-Doc, January

Posted 10/07/19 (Mon)

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Answer from Brynn Luger, Licensed Professional Counselor & National Certified Counselor.

Q: I seem to get more depressed in the winter. Why is that?

A:  There can be a seasonal pattern to some people’s depression. Commonly called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, it’s diagnosed when there’s a regular connection between the onset of depression and the season. 

The most common cycle is for winter or fall depression; however, don’t rule out the possibility of summer or spring depression. It is rarer to have SAD with a summer/spring component, but it is possible. 

SAD is often mistaken for simple “winter blues”. It is normal to have days when you don’t feel yourself, or you feel sad or down. But if you’re depressed for days at a time, cannot get motivated to do things you normally enjoy, if you’ve noticed changes in your eating and sleeping habits, or if you become hopeless or begin to contemplate suicide, then it is possible that you are experiencing depression.

Do you have concerns about SAD or depression? Make an appointment with our physicians today to set yourself on a path to wellness.

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