A type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can be connected to the change in seasons in the fall and winter when the temperature drops and the daylight wanes. Those who effectively manage their seasonal depression prepare themselves for these times of the year so that they take better care of themselves and deal with things that may further trigger their depression. However, many people may not realize what triggers their depression, and this is where professional treatment can be a huge help. A large part of a depression treatment program focuses on identifying triggers and learning ways to manage those triggers in everyday life. Call The Right Step at 17135283709 to learn more about managing seasonal depression with the help of our treatments and services.
What You Need to Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder
What is seasonal affective disorder? SAD refers to the onset of depression as winter arrives and days grow shorter. The light deprivation that starts in the fall and moves into winter can negatively affect someone’s mood.
Symptoms of SAD include:
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Eating too much or too little
- Lethargy
- Lack of motivation
- Not participating in one’s typical interests
- Avoiding social gatherings
- Uncharacteristic feelings of sadness
These symptoms fade away as spring approaches, and there’s more daylight. The key to managing SAD is learning how to manage your symptoms. This can be hard to do on one’s own, and this is why many seek professional treatment for their seasonal depression.
Managing Seasonal Depression
There are many techniques that you can try at home to help you manage symptoms of seasonal depression. Outside of these techniques, undergoing depression treatment will arm you with additional coping mechanisms and the support of peers who understand what you’re going through and who you can lean on when you need them.
Light Therapy
Because light deprivation is a primary trigger of seasonal depression, supplementing the missing daylight can help bring balance back to your circadian rhythm. Artificial light therapy boxes are readily available, mimic natural sunlight, and emit different wavelengths. Approximately 30 minutes of light therapy daily has proven highly effective. There are also alarm clocks called dawn simulators. These clocks produce a gradual range of light—mimicking a sunrise—to wake you up instead of a blaring alarm noise.
Be Active
Staying busy in the winter months can help to distract you from symptoms of SAD. By intentionally planning activities and staying in touch with family and friends, you can avoid the reclusive tendencies of depression. The people that you interact with and trust through these efforts will act as a support system to get you through the tough months. Exercise is also a great outlet to keep you busy and has a mood-boosting effect. It doesn’t need to be an intense physical workout—even yoga and meditation can balance the symptoms of depression.
Consult Your Doctor
If you’re having any mental health struggles, you should talk with a trusted medical professional about the best way to address the issues you’re having. This might be through the techniques mentioned, but it might also be best to seek professional therapy and treatment for additional support.
Inquire About Depression Treatment at The Right Step
When you enroll in depression treatment at The Right Step, you can access a variety of therapies to craft a personalized treatment plan. Mental health treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Each person has their own set of unique needs. In many cases, depression can exist alongside another mental health condition or a substance use disorder (SUD). In this case, the co-occurring conditions should be treated as part of a dual diagnosis program. Greater recovery success—and less risk of relapse—is the hallmark of dual diagnosis treatment versus treating each disorder on its own. Contact our team online or call 17135283709 to learn more about how we treat seasonal depression.
