ever, if you suffer from SAD with a summer onset, you will probably start to notice some symptoms beginning around June or July. Some common symptoms to look out for include:
• Feelings of hopelessness • Increased appetite and weight gain • Increased sleep • Low energy level • Difficulty concentrating • Loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed
• Sluggish movements • Withdrawing from social interaction • Irritability
• Decreased sexual desire • Unhappiness
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder can often resemble and be confused with other medical issues such as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, infectious mononucleosis, and other viral infections. Because of this, it is important to look for patterns that may occur with the times of year that you are having symptoms.
What should I do if I think I have SAD? If you have very mild symptoms, try some of the tips listed for managing mild symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. However, if you notice that the symptoms are impacting your daily living, then you need to seek help from a professional. There are several treatment options for
Tips to manage mild Seasonal Affective Disorder:
• Keep moving-look for activi- ties that you enjoy; exercise can help give you a boost of “happy hormones”
• Stay social-friends can offer great support and entertainment to keep you mentally refreshed
• Stick to your schedule-your internal clock is adjusting, help it along by keeping a consistent sleep and wake schedule
• Get enough sleep, but not too much-make sure that you are getting enough sleep to feel rested, but if you notice that you are sleeping more than usual, that can also lead to feelings of depression
• Go for a morning walk-the exercise is good, but the expo- sure to the morning sun is even better!
• Eat a healthy diet-make sure that you don’t have significant changes in your eating habits
individuals who may be suffering from SAD. A common treatment is called “light therapy” and involves being exposed to fluorescent lights in order to give your body the “sunlight” that it needs. However, not just any light will do and, just as with any medication, there are different doses that are recommended for different people. The intensity of the light that is used, the amount of time per day that you spend being exposed to the light, and the time of day that you are exposed to the light all depend on the individual person. Therefore, it is important that you work
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• Watch for red flags-if your depression is getting worse, recognize it and seek help from a professional
with a health care provider or therapist with experience working with SAD to determine the “prescription” that is right for you. Another treatment option for individuals suffering from SAD is psychotherapy. Al- though some of the symptoms seem to be related to brain chemistry, your mood and behavior can also add to the symptoms. A therapist can help you identify that you are suffering from SAD, and can help you learn ways to cope with this disorder and manage the stress associated. They can also help you identify and change negative thoughts that may be making you feel worse. A therapist can also help you develop an on-going plan for preparing for the onset of symptoms, recognizing when you are having symptoms, and minimizing the impact of those symp- toms on your daily life.
Medication is another treatment option
for individuals who have severe symptoms. Antidepressants can be used to treat the symptoms of SAD. In this case, you should work with your doctor or psychiatrist to iden- tify what time of year symptoms typically start for you and when they typically end. You should also keep in mind that it may take several weeks to notice full benefits from an antidepressant and that you may have to try different medications before finding the one that works best for you.
So, if you find yourself in the middle of
the “winter blahs” or an irritable grump every summer, consider that you may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer through it every year and you can look forward to and enjoy the season!
Written by Jennifer Cobb, MSW, LCSW, a LIcensed Clinical Social worker since 1999. She works with children, adults and families at her private therapy practice, Guilford Counseling, PLLC, which is located at 422 Battleground Ave. in Greensboro. For an ap- pointment, call 336-337-5469 or email guilfordcounseling@gmail. com. Visit
www.GuilfordCounseling.com for more information. See ad on page 3.
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