by Melanie Burner, LCPC Licensed Professional Counselor Teaming Together Counseling, Glasgow, MT
ROUBIE YOUNKIN
§§ Feeling blue/sad/depressed almost all day, every day for a period of two weeks or greater. §§ Losing interest in almost all activities. §§ Difficulties with sleep (typically oversleeping). §§ Increased appetite. §§ Negative feelings towards self and others. §§ Isolating yourself from loved ones and activities. §§ Fatigue. §§ Feelings of hopelessness. §§ Decreased ability to concentrate and make decisions. §§ Possible thoughts of wanting to die (suicidal ideation). The difference between Major Depressive Disorder with seasonal pattern and the typical holiday stress is the impact that it has on someone’s daily functioning. This may mean changes in relationships, occupational difficulties, or even a lack of participating in everyday activities. Also, the indicators of these depressive episodes will most likely occur nearly every day and affect one’s life in many ways compared to holiday stress which may come and go. Seasonal patterned episodes occur during all winter months, are present for a pattern of more than two years, and there is a lack of symptoms during warmer months. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the causes of these seasonal patterned depressive episodes have been attributed to a few factors. These factors are the changes in amount of daylight and how this affects your internal process in multiple ways, including sleep patterns. If you think you may be experiencing depression due to the winter months, the first step is to reach out to a primary care physician or a mental health provider (counselor, therapist, psychologist, etc.) According to NAMI, typical treatments include the use of an antidepressant medication, talk therapy, and light therapy (sitting under artificial light for a set amount of time). You and your practitioner can determine which treatments will be beneficial. The length of treatment will differ for each person, based on personal history, physical location, and available resources. Whether it is holiday stress or depression causing the winter blues, remember that reaching out for help is okay. Take a little hint from Scrooge: remember that change comes from within with a little help from others.
LIVES
landscapes Winter 2018
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