Do you realize that you start to feel sad when the weather gets colder and only feel happier once Spring comes around? You could be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression related to the change in seasons. There are ways to fight the symptoms of SAD, but if these methods do not work, please seek mental health treatment in Minneapolis.
Symptoms
Since SAD is a subtype of general depression, they share some of the same symptoms. These symptoms might include a depressed mood, lack of energy, difficulty concentrate, changes in sleep and appetite and more. These symptoms don’t automatically mean you have SAD. However, if they only develop during certain times of the year, it’s probably likely that you suffer from seasonal affective disorder.
Treatments
Like any other mental health problem, there is not one treatment that works for everyone. Here are a few treatment options to explore for seasonal affective disorder.
- Medication: Antidepressants have proven to be effective for people who suffer from SAD. Medication can take several weeks before they take effect, so it’s important to have some patience.
- Psychotherapy: Talk therapy can be helpful mental health treatment option for those with SAD.
- Light Therapy: There are special lights and boxes that produces similar effects to natural light, triggering chemicals in your brain that help regulate your mood.
If you think that you are suffering from seasonal affective disorder, contact River Ridge. We offer a variety of mental health treatments in Minneapolis.
