Seasonal Differences. Season Effectiveness Disorder definitely impacts people who feel sad around the time that Fall starts. That time of year it gets darker earlier and the weather starts to get cold. There is not a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual specifically for Season Effectiveness Disorder, but if you ask someone who does struggle with it, this is quite real.
Seasonal Effectiveness Disorder can be an indicator of something more serious going on. If you have been feeling sad and/or depressed for some time and the change of seasons seems to make it worse, something else is going on. It is normal to feel down for a few days but is potentially more serious if this has been going on for a few months or so. Seasonal Differences.
The symptoms of something like Major Depressive Disorder is feeling depressed most of the day, every day. Losing interest in something like a hobby that used to help you to feel better and is no longer effective. Low energy, problems sleeping and changes in appetite are indicators are also symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder. Seasonal Differences.
If you are feeling down because the weather outside of cold and it is also raining but your mood lifts when you get your day moving, that is perfectly normal. If you find it is hard to impossible to begin feeling more hopeful because of something related to weather and stay that way, something more underlying is going on.
Is this time of the year particularly hard for you as winter has started and you are dreading the next couple of months? If you are looking for a therapist near you and a Google search is a great way of finding one. I happen to be a therapist in Charlotte, NC but am licensed to counsel anyone in the state of North Carolina. In Google, try looking for “psychotherapist,” “find therapist,” “therapy near me,” or even “counseling charlotte, nc.” If you feel like you have hit a wall you are not able to get past, call me at (704) 458-6298 or email me at jeffhelms@clearerthoughtspllc.com.
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