Seasonal depression and how to cope

“Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year.” (2017).

Seasonal affective disorder can affect anyone and should not be taken lightly. Usually it starts in the Fall and ends in early winter, and sometimes it can affect the opposite way, affecting them in Summer and Spring and ending in Fall. You know its crazy to think that seasons can affect people this way, but unfortunately it does, and it should be not taken lightly. As the seasons go on the symptoms can get progressively worse. Signs and Symptoms can include:

Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy
• Having problems with sleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

(2017)

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:

• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Tiredness or low energy

(2017)

Symptoms specific to summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, sometimes called summer depression, may include:

• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Agitation or anxiety

(2017)

Treatments that can help you cope with SAD can include Music and/or Art Therapy. Music Therapy “is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.” (n.d.). Art therapy “is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.” (n.d.). Both therapies can be used to help cope and elevate some of those symptoms related to SAD.

Reference

American Music Therapy Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.musictherapy.org/about/quotes/.

Evidence-Based Resource Summary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/tools-resources/evidence-based-resource/music-therapy-for-depression.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). (2017, October 25). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20364722.