Category Depression

SAD: What It Is and How to Help Your Child Cope – As the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, it’s normal for people to start feeling a little down. For some people, however, the winter blues can be much more than just a case of the Mondays. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months. SAD is thought to be caused by a lack of sunlight, which can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythms. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, SAD affects approximately 1 in every 15 adults in the United States.

Symptoms of SAD : What It Is and How to Help Your Child Cope

Symptoms of SAD can vary from person to person. Some people with SAD only experience mild symptoms while others may have more severe symptoms that interfere with their daily life. The most common symptoms of SAD include:

• Fatigue: Feeling tired and sluggish all day long even after getting enough sleep at night
• Hopelessness: Feeling pessimistic or negative about the future
• Weight gain: Increased appetite and cravings for carb-heavy comfort foods
• Irritability: Feeling easily annoyed or agitated
• social withdrawal: wanting to spend less time with friends and family

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a daily basis for more than two weeks, you should see your doctor or mental health professional for an evaluation as you may have seasonal affective disorder.

What Can You Do About SAD?

If you think your child may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder, there are a few things you can do to help them cope. First, try to encourage your child to get outside for at least 30 minutes each day—even if it’s cloudy or cold outside. Exposure to natural light can help improve mood and energy levels. Additionally, you can try having your child spend some time in a light therapy box. Light therapy boxes emit bright light that simulates sunlight and can help reduce SAD symptoms. Finally, talk to your child’s doctor about whether antidepressant medication may be right for them.

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months. It’s thought to be caused by a lack of sunlight, which can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythms. If you think your child may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder, there are a few things you can do to help them cope, including encouraging them to get outside for at least 30 minutes each day and having them spend some time in a light therapy box. Talk to your child’s doctor about whether antidepressant medication may be right for them.

Therapy in Brandon

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your anxiety is especially high during the fall season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

About the Author
Emem Iniobong, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who is an EMDR trained and helps children, teens, young adults, parents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.

Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children and Teens – Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. SAD is more common in young people than adults, and it can be especially hard on teens and tweens who are dealing with hormonal changes, school stress, and social pressures. Here’s what you need to know about seasonal affective disorder in children and teens.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? | Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. SAD is more common in young people than adults, and it can be especially hard on teens and tweens who are dealing with hormonal changes, school stress, and social pressures. The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but it is believed to be related to the shorter days and reduced sunlight exposure during the fall and winter months.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder

The most common symptom of seasonal affective disorder is feelings of sadness or depression that occur during the fall and winter months. Other symptoms of SAD may include:

• Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
• fatigue or low energy levels
• difficulty concentrating
• changes in appetite or weight
• social withdrawal
• irritability

What Can You Do About Seasonal Affective Disorder?                                             

If your child or teen is showing signs of seasonal affective disorder, there are several things you can do to help them cope with the condition. Some simple lifestyle changes—such as getting outside for a daily walk or ensuring that they’re getting enough sleep—can make a big difference. You may also want to consider light therapy, which involves sitting near a special light box for 30 minutes each day. If your child’s symptoms are severe, you may want to talk to their doctor about medication options.

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. It’s more common in young people than adults, and it can be especially hard on teens and tweens who are dealing with hormonal changes, school stress, and social pressures. If your child or teen is showing signs of seasonal affective disorder, there are several things you can do to help them cope with the condition. Some simple lifestyle changes—such as getting outside for a daily walk or ensuring that they’re getting enough sleep—can make a big difference. You may also want to consider light therapy, which involves sitting near a special light box for 30 minutes each day. If your child’s symptoms are severe, you may want to talk to their doctor about medication options.

Therapy in Brandon

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your depression is especially high during the fall season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

About the Author
Emem Iniobong, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who is an EMDR trained and helps children, teens, young adults, parents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.

Why Anxiety and Depression Can Get Worse in the Fall – While fall is the favorite season among many people, others struggle with it because of how it affects their mental health. You might be one of the unlucky people who have a hard time with your emotional state in the fall, dealing with worsened anxiety and depression. Here is more information about why this might be happening and what you can do about it.

What is Autumn Anxiety?

The first mental health change you might notice in the fall season is with your anxiety. Many people have noticed that their anxiety seems to peak around the time fall begins – but why? This is sometimes referred to as autumn anxiety, a type of anxiety that is triggered by the fall season. This is because the change between summer and fall can often feel like a drastic one. Your days get shorter, the weather changes, your routine is different, holidays are coming up, and it just feels like everything is different and more stressful.

Dealing with Seasonal Depression | Why Anxiety and Depression Can Get Worse in the Fall

You might also be someone who has worsened depression in the fall, which can happen for a number of different reasons. However, the most common reason is from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is often the result of the seasons changing, particularly with the gloomier, darker weather you get in the fall and winter. If you live somewhere with a lot of rain and cold days in the fall, then you are likely to get it this time of year.

It can give you all the same symptoms as other forms of depression, including mood changes, low energy, lack of motivation, lethargy, and simply feeling blue.

What You Can Do About it

While it can be difficult getting through the fall season with anxiety and/or depression, you are not alone, and there IS help available to you. Here are some ways to get relief from your anxiety and depression this season:

• Light therapy for SAD – If you suffer from SAD, one of the best options for you is light therapy. SAD typically occurs in the fall and winter because of the longer nights, darker days, and gloomy weather. Naturally, light therapy, called phototherapy, is the way to go. There are light boxes you can use indoors that give you bright light to reduce those depression symptoms.
• Writing in a journal – Journaling is a simple daily practice that can help with both anxiety and depression.
• Practicing your breathing exercises – Breathing exercises help with anxiety the most, allowing you to be mindful for a few minutes, and focus on relaxing your mind and body. They are also fantastic for getting through a panic attack.
• Seeking professional help – Please do not hesitate to reach out to a doctor or therapist if you need medication or talk therapy. There is so much they can help you with when your anxiety or depression is too much to handle.

If you’re noticing that your anxiety is worse in the fall, know that you’re not alone. This is a common experience for many people. However, it’s important to understand why this happens and how to manage your autumn anxiety. If you want more information about autumn anxiety or any other type of mental health concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to help you get the support and resources that you need.

Therapy in Brandon

If you find that you’re feeling stuck more than often, or you’re noticing that your anxiety is especially high during the fall season, know that you’re not alone, we encourage you to reach out. Our counsellor here at Bliss Counselling & Wellness Centre have experience working with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, depression, and so much more. We offer both in-person and online services. To learn more, reach out to us at 431-302-8803, or go here and fill out an online form!

About the Author

Emem Iniobong, is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor who is an EMDR trained and helps children, teens, young adults, parents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-full life.