Do you have the Winter Blues? Is the lack of sun making you sad?
As the days get shorter during the winter months, some people find that their mood worsens along with the weather. These “winter blues” leave many feeling gloomy, lacking energy and motivation on the days that lack sunshine and feeling better on the brighter days. Some, however, are intensely affected by the seasonal changes and may experience a more severe form of the winter blues. For them, the winter months bring on a clinical depression called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or SAD. Those who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder find themselves feeling sad, anxious, and hopeless. They may be easily irritated, feel restless, and have trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. SAD often causes a decreased level of energy along with a loss of interest and joy from the activities that were previously enjoyed. Changes in weight, difficulty concentrating, decision-making, and remembering details are also common symptoms of SAD.
People suffering from SAD experience the same symptoms as traditional depression, but throughout the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. SAD affects people in northern latitude climates such as Canada, where the winters are usually long and dark, with a more significant percentage of those affected being young women.
How to Treat “Seasonal Affective Disorder” SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is commonly treated with light therapy, in which the affected person is exposed to a bright light in the morning to compensate for the lack of natural sunlight. Natural sunlight causes the brain to establish a typical day/night cycle; the lack of natural sunlight in the winter months causes a shift in this cycle that is thought to cause SAD. Light therapy works to readjust the body’s sleep/wake cycle in hopes of reversing the depression.
In addition to light therapy, more evidence is showing that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), an effective treatment for depression, is also effective in treating SAD. Research by Dr. Kelly Rohan, Director of Training in Psychology at the University of Vermont and an expert on mood disorders, suggests CBT may be more effective in the long term than light therapy. CBT for SAD involves a structured approach throughout the winter. The therapist helps teach the client techniques and strategies to identify and challenge negative thought patterns and implement healthy behaviours to counteract the symptoms of SAD.
If you are interested in therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder in Vaughan, Thornhill, Markham or the GTA or would like to ask any questions or schedule an appointment, please call us today at 905.597.4404 or email info@cbtpsychology.com
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Written By: Dr. Silvina Galperin C. Psych.
