When the winter season rolls around, many people experience a decline in mental health. It's more prevalent at higher altitudes when seasonal changes are more dramatic. The combination of less sunlight, colder temperatures and not-so-great weather can create debilitating mood issues. Find the best therapist for seasonal affective disorder by visiting this website.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, colloquially known as SAD, affects an estimated 15 million adults in the United States. But is this condition the same as depression? Do you need to see a therapist for seasonal affective disorder?
Understanding SAD
SAD is no longer considered a standalone mood disorder. Instead, diagnostic guidelines classify it as a subset of depressive disorders. While many individuals brush off SAD as nothing more than the winter blues, it can impact your life in many ways.
Believe it or not, the symptoms of SAD and depression are strikingly similar. They can be nearly identical and affect people the same way. However, the distinction between SAD and depression comes in its timing.
Think of SAD as depression with a seasonal pattern. It occurs during the fall and winter months as opposed to the entire year. Mental health professionals typically diagnose SAD when the patients have two years of symptoms that worsen during a specific time of the year. The seasonal symptoms must be significantly worse than nonseasonal symptoms to get a proper diagnosis.
What are the Symptoms of SAD?
Contrary to popular belief, SAD is not a "mild" form of depression. The symptoms can be just as debilitating as standard depressive disorder.
Individuals can experience noticeable mood changes, excessive drowsiness, loss of interest in the things they normally love and increased hopelessness. Many will also start to gain weight. In severe cases, SAD can lead to suicidal thoughts.
Getting Help
Fortunately, you don't have to face SAD alone. Help is available. If you're experiencing symptoms of SAD or depression, therapists are available to help you get through it. A therapist for seasonal affective disorder can recommend a treatment plan that works for you.
There's not much difference between the treatment of SAD and depression. Many of the same techniques apply, including cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness exercises and medication.
Read a similar article about talk therapy here at this page.
