Submitted by Bedford Youth and Family Services
This time of year can be difficult.
Short days, cold temperatures, and lots of time indoors can take a toll on the mind. The season can make it hard to be productive while on the job and at home.
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar?
- Oversleeping
- Social withdrawal
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Loss of energy
- Hopelessness
- Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
If so, you may be suffering from a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In most cases, SAD symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. These feelings are not a normal part of the season and you should never brush off them off as simply a case of the winter blues. Don’t tough it out on your own—help is available!
Treatment for seasonal affective disorder includes light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications. If you believe you may be struggling with SAD take the first step to healing by taking Bedford Youth and Family Service’s free, anonymous online mental health screening at www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/BYFS
The screening only takes a few minutes and provides confidential results and information on where to find treatment. Make your mental health a priority year round!
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