While many people look forward to the winter holidays. However, for individuals with winter-pattern seasonal depression, the winter holidays can be particularly stressful. The good news is there are many ways to treat seasonal depression. The key is to just reach out for help as soon as a problem begins to manifest.
Better Understanding Depression
Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness in the world. The good news is that it is also one of the most treatable. Also, many people feel like they know what depression is, but they don’t exactly know what depression entails.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, but these feelings usually pass. Depression (also called major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression) is different. It can cause severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.” This includes seasonal depression.
Better Understanding Winter-Pattern Seasonal Depression
Seasonal depression comes in two forms. There is summer-pattern winter depression and winter-pattern season depression, which is significantly more common.
So what exactly is winter-pattern seasonal depression? According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Seasonal Affective Disorder, by Doctors Munir, Gunturu, and Abbas, “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) poses a significant challenge to mental health, affecting mood and overall well-being, especially during months with reduced daylight hours. Recognized as a subtype of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, SAD typically presents with major depressive episodes in the fall or winter and alleviates by spring or summer.” It is also important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of winter-pattern seasonal depression.
The Signs and Symptoms of Seasonal Depression
While it may affect individuals differently, there are many universal signs and symptoms of seasonal depression. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Wanting to sleep more than normal, or not being able to sleep well
- Loss of appetite or excessive and uncontrollable eating
- Feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless
- Using alcohol and substances as coping mechanisms
- Not wanting to be around others, including friends and family
- Losing interest in activities normally enjoyed
- Feeling overly anxious, nervous, or “stressed out”
- Having body aches, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Committing self-harm
- Having suicidal ideations
Many people minimize seasonal depression, but as one can see, there can be very serious and significant symptoms. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner than later is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
How to Best Recover From Seasonal Depression
There are many effective means, methods, and modalities for recovering from seasonal depression. One common method is medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication. While these can be helpful, it is important to remember that medication is not a lone fix for issues of mental illness. It should always be utilized in tandem with other methods of recovery like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
DBT can be very helpful for seasonal depression because it addresses critical underlying issues. Also, DBT works to address the negative ways in which an individual views themself and the world around them. It helps to change one’s negative cognitions (thoughts) and emotions (feelings), thus helping one change their negative behaviors. People who struggle with seasonal depression also benefit from getting outside. One of the best ways to do this is via nature-based experiential therapies.
Nature immersion therapy offers a myriad of benefits. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Besides physical health improvements, nature exposure can bring about positive influence upon psychological constructs such as boredom, friendliness, well-being and liveliness [28]. However, across more than one hundred studies on nature/wildlife exposure, stress mitigation has been shown to be one of the most consistent and important psychological benefits. This “stress mitigation” is critical for helping individuals manage and recover from issues of seasonal depression.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Seasonal depression does not have to control one’s life or negatively affect how one spends the holidays. There are many ways to manage and recover from winter-pattern seasonal depression.
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are not only individualized and comprehensive, but also always have a focus on the future.
The Buddha famously said, “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” That is also what we believe here at Lantana Recovery. Together we can do anything, including recovering from seasonal depression. The key is to reach out for help. From there, the sky is the limit.
Winter-pattern seasonal depression is very common (especially over the holidays). It is also the most common type of seasonal depression. The good news is there are many means, methods, and modalities that can help one manage their winter-pattern seasonal depression. This includes psychotherapy, experiential therapy, and holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about how to best recover from seasonal depression, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.