The Help that Matters
when Winter Makes You SAD

Winter may not be the best year in your calendar, but it can’t be the worst either. For a lot of people, winter signifies fun and happy days, especially if they like winter sports or wearing scarves and winter fashion. It can be stressful with the holidays, but it is still fun.

If the weather has an opposite effect, you can soon get over it with so much to look forward to. If the “blues” seem to take the better of your day in and day out throughout the season, however, and it seems to be that way every year, it could be SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or “cabin fever.”

What is There to Know About SAD

Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder that seems to be associated with the seasonal changes in the amount of sunlight. Its effects can’t be underestimated as it can make you feel miserable several months a year.

As a subtype of major depression, it has signs and symptoms that can make your days and nights unduly miserable. All you may want to do is sleep, yet you will feel the sapping of your energy and enthusiasm. Feeling weak, unenthusiastic and irritable, you are likely to dread interacting with people or doing things that you once love. You may avoid food or seek solace in it, causing you to gain or lose weight.

Understanding the Cause if SAD

Though the exact cause remains unclear, SAD is thought to be a human response to the seasonal light variation. Just as other animals respond to wintry light by hibernation or becoming inactive, the human circadian rhythm or biological clock may also be shifting as a response to the seasonal change. This could be the reason why melatonin, a sleep hormone, is being produced in higher quantities and serotonin, a mood hormone, is produced less – to induce inactivity or hibernation.

But being a social animal, you can’t stop your life, work and activities because it is winter. You would want to live your usual life to meet obligations and fulfill commitments. If SAD is making this impossible, you have to acknowledge you need help to overcome the depressive symptoms.

Get the Symptoms Under Control with Help

If SAD symptoms are making a comeback. Just like the winter year after year, you have to face the truth that it can make your life difficult several months each year. Since that won’t be acceptable, brace up yourself and take the first step to get those SAD symptoms under control – call Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC.

SAD is treatable. With help from a therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC, there is a good 50 to 80 percent chance of overcoming the “blues” come winter, maybe even enjoy the weather and the holidays.

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