Most of America awoke on the first Sunday morning in November and eventually realized their clocks where no longer accurate. Thanks to the end of Daylight Saving Time, most everyone’s in-home and automotive clocks were off by an hour – we were certain of that.
But were they an hour ahead or an hour behind?
This common jingle which provides such valuable, on-the-fly information twice each year – spring forward; fall back – could certainly extend in meaning to describe the mood changes millions of Americans experience annually as days shorten and we find ourselves returning home from work in the dark.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, as many as 10 to 20 percent of all Americans experience at least a mild form of an affliction called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. A type of depression that’s related to the changing of the seasons, SAD typically begins and ends at the same times each year.
“The most common type of this mood disorder occurs during the winter months,” said Angelos Halaris, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at Loyola Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. “SAD is thought to be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain, brought on by the lack of light due to winter’s shorter days and typically overcast skies.”
Many who experience SAD may feel overly tired, a lack of motivation and even have trouble getting out of bed. Other symptoms include anxiety, a lack of concentration, sadness, irritability and social withdrawal.
For the estimated 500,000 people in the U.S. who experience a more severe level of SAD, psychotherapy, light therapy and perhaps even antidepressant medication can often be necessary. For the remaining who suffer a milder form of SAD, often referred to as “the Winter Blues,” simple lifestyle and home remedies can effectively keep the blues at bay.
Again, these strategies are most effective in warding off mild cases of SAD, or Winter Blues. If your seasonal depression is reoccurring, lasts two weeks or more, or you have thoughts of suicide, it’s time to get help.
“SAD is a diagnosable mental health disorder that may require treatment,” said Douglas Jacobs, M.D., executive director of Screening for Mental Health and associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “If you regularly experience a significant, lasting downturn of mood when the weather gets colder and daylight lessons, then you should consider consulting a psychiatrist or other health professional to discuss your symptoms.”
Medical News Today: Does Your Mood Take a Nosedive Each November?
Mayo Clinic: Seasonal Affective Disorder
HealthDay: Dark Days Here for Folks With Seasonal Depression
Medical News Today: Plants in Office Make Workers Happier, More Productive
Medical News Today: Tips for Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder
One of the most common misconceptions about physical therapy is that you need a referral…
Physical therapy focuses on rehabilitation, muscle strength, posture improvement, and overall well-being. While it’s often…
An essential part of any treatment plan is to listen to your own body and…
It’s National Physical Therapy Month! That might not mean anything to you, but it’s a…
Derik Elmore, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT Plantar fasciitis is an orthopedic condition that affects the…
The hand is a complex and delicate part of our body that we use for…