A few weeks ago, I published a blog post about what it’s like to not know what your future holds. I’m someone who always likes to plan ahead, so not knowing my future is really hard for me. I discussed how much better things have been for my mental health than they have in the past, but I’m nervous for my mental health come this winter. I see winter as a dark, dangerous presence, where I’m lucky if I can just hide in bed all day from the scary happenings beyond my apartment walls. When you become depressed in the winter months or summer months specifically, that might be a sign you have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD accompanies my other disorders, which contribute to my mood, but it explains my mood shift during the colder, darker months. The Mayo Clinic explains that SAD is a type of depression related to changes in seasons. Most people experience SAD during the shift into fall and winter months; however, some experience it starting in the spring and into the summer.
The negative change in my mental health during the fall and winter seasons feels like I am in a deep slumber, weighed down by a barbell tied to every limb. But this summer I went from staying inside all day to meeting new friends and exploring my city. I conversed with my neighbors in the lobby and even went to UFC fight nights at my local sports bar with my husband. These were all things that my winter self could never have imagined doing.
Now, however, the days are getting shorter again and the darkness of night is greeting us a lot sooner. I can sense an internal shift within myself, and I don’t know if it’s perhaps me manifesting the depression, but it still has me very worried. I’ve notified my doctors about this and we’re monitoring how it progresses, but I want to do more. Unfortunately, there’s no known way to prevent SAD from happening.
I’ve included some symptoms of SAD below from The Mayo Clinic for your convenience. I’m not an expert on the subject, so if you have concerns about your mental health, please consider seeing a doctor. You deserve to be healthy and happy, always make sure to prioritize your mental health. Coping with winter depression doesn’t have to be done alone.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Symptoms
- Feeling sad most of the day
- Losing interest in activities you enjoy
- Appetite changes; weight gain or weight loss
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Sleeping too much
- Increased irritability
- Having thoughts of not wanting to live
While there is no known cure for SAD, there are ways to mitigate its effects. Consider some of the tips from Everyday Health.
Mental Health Tips for Seasonal Change
- The first and most important thing to do is talk to your doctor. If you’re open to it, they may be able to prescribe you with antidepressants to help with your symptoms.
- Use a light therapy box. The light from these special boxes is stronger than any light bulb, and if you sit in front of it for 20 to 30 minutes a day, it is intended to replicate sunlight.
- Try and push yourself to stay active. I know from experience that when you’re depressed, the last thing you want to do is get up and move, but even going for a short walk can boost your mood and work to combat SAD.
- Keep a schedule and fill it with some social activities. You don’t have to go overboard and plan every hour, but connecting with friends and family is essential to maintaining mental health.
- Lastly, try and prepare yourself for fall. Throughout the early fall months try to start off of the right foot, see friends, contact your doctor, purchase the light box. By starting off strong, you’ll be able to carry this energy into the winter.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a serious condition that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you find yourself with the above symptoms, I encourage you to take the necessary steps to find treatment. Fall and winter can feel isolating, but please know you’re never alone.
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