What is it about Fall that changes our mood? Is it the crisp cool air, wearing the winter clothes we’ve had packed away for months or eating pumpkin sweets that remind us of family?
Yes, it’s all of the above and more.
As a child, I loved Fall. The changing leaves were my favorite part of the season. I didn’t enjoy raking the leaves, but their colors always made up for the hard work of gathering them from the front yard. And the big piles of leaves always made for lots of childhood fun.
I’m sure Fall brings with it the same memories for you too.
But Fall can also be a negative trigger for those who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder. While the majority of people happily decorate for the season and plan for the holidays, there are those who worry about how saying goodbye to summer will affect their day-to-day lives.
This type of depression reoccurs at the same time every year, usually starting in fall, worsening in winter, and ending in spring. The feelings of seasonal depression shouldn’t be ignored, because they greatly affect the lives of those who battle them.
Let’s look at some of the symptoms:
sadness
anxiety
irritability
loss of interest in usual activities
withdrawal from social activities
inability to concentrate
fatigue and lack of energy
a “Leaden” sensation in the limbs
increased need for sleep
craving carbs
Approximately half a million people in the US alone suffer from SAD. This seasonal specific depression is triggered by sunlight- or rather, lack of sunlight. Decreased exposure to sunlight causes mood, sleep and hormones to shift.
Though Seasonal Affective Disorder has not affected me personally, I am a survivor of the crazy, debilitating illness of depression.
My word for you today is DEPRESSION IS REAL. Whether we’re talking about SAD or postpartum; all forms of depression are real and debilitating. If you have any of the symptoms above don’t suffer alone any longer. Seek help. If you had a broken leg you wouldn’t think twice about going to the doctor to get it fixed. Depression needs help to heal too.
Today we live in a world where the stigma of depression is falling away. We understand it more than we have in the past and it is more widely talked about. So don’t be afraid and don’t suffer in silence. Others truly care. Reach out!
#smallsteps
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