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| Coping With Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) |
What Are Some of the Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
- Experiencing depressive symptoms during the fall and winter, and no depressive symptoms during the other seasons
- Sleeping more than usual
- Increased appetite
- Experiencing a decrease in energy
- Losing interest in activities that you usually enjoy
- Experiencing problems focusing
What Can You Do to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder?
- Try to get as much sunlight as you can, including going out for a walk during the day, keeping shades or blinds open to get maximum exposure to light, spending time near a window at work and going away, if you can to sunnier vacation spots.
- Exercise at a level that is right for you to raise your endorphin levels.
- Try doing gentle yoga to elevate your mood.
- Spend time with close friends and family doing activities that you enjoy.
- Eat nutritious meals and limit caffeine.
- Consider light therapy.
- Manage your stress
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| Coping with Seasonable Affective Disorder: Get As Much Light As You Can |
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| Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Consider Light Therapy |
If none of the above suggestions work, it's a good idea to see your medical doctor to rule out medical issues that cause depressive symptoms.
For instance, many people who have an undiagnosed thyroid condition, can have depressive symptoms, but once their thyroid is stabilized, they are no longer depressed. So, it's a good idea to rule out medical problems first.
If you have ruled out medical problems and the suggestions above for dealing with SAD aren't working for you, consider seeing a psychotherapist to determine if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder or if you have a different form of depression, such a major depressive disorder or dysthymia (see my article: How to Choose a Psychotherapist and What is the Difference Between Sadness and Depression?)
Getting Help in Therapy
An experienced psychotherapist can help you to develop resources for dealing with seasonal affective disorder so that you are better able to cope with the decrease in light during the fall and winter.
Seeing a psychotherapist, who knows how to work with SAD can make such a difference in the quality of your life.
If you're suffering with SAD, get help today.
About Me
I am a licensed NYC psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR and Somatic Experiencing therapist who works with individual adults and couples.
I have helped many clients who suffer with SAD to overcome SAD symptoms.
To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.
To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.