With the holidays upon us, Americans are revving up to shop, decorate, make travel arrangements, and mark their calendars for parties and celebrations with co-workers, friends, and family. While touted as the most wonderful time of the year, the holiday season is fraught with anxiety and depression for millions of Americans. A significant number of Americans report experiencing the winter blues, a time of increased depression between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Others experience seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which begins with the onset of fall and resolves in the spring. Unlike the winter blues, SAD can negatively impact daily functioning and may require depression treatment. For depression treatment located in New Jersey, reach out to Next Wind Recovery today.
Once daylight saving time begins in the northeast, many people wake up and come home in the dark, with little time for outdoor activity in between. The resulting lack of exposure to sunlight is thought to be a key factor in seasonal depression. At Next Wind Recovery in New Jersey, we offer help for seasonal depression on an outpatient basis. Call us at 201.331.6569 to learn more.
Learn to Identify the Signs of Seasonal Depression
There is no distinct cause of seasonal depression. Most mental health experts agree that a combination of changes in sunlight and certain hormones and neurotransmitters causes disruptions in the body’s circadian rhythm, our internal clock. Technically speaking, SAD is known as major depressive disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern. What separates SAD from MDD is that it occurs at the same time annually, for at least two years in a row.
Seasonal depression presents with the same symptoms and features as nonseasonal depression. Most people associate seasonal depression with the fall and winter months. However, seasonal depression can also occur in the spring and summer months. The common thread of SAD is that the symptoms arise and resolve around the same time each year. Following are three signs of seasonal depression you should keep in mind:
- You always feel down and have no energy – SAD is characterized by a persistent depressed mood and a sense of negativity that you cannot shake. Finding the energy to do the simplest of tasks feels overwhelming.
- Significant changes in appetite – Winter-onset SAD is marked by substantial weight gain from excessive cravings for carbohydrates. Conversely, spring-onset SAD usually presents with marked weight loss resulting from a lack of appetite.
- You feel hopeless and have thoughts of suicide or death – Many people with SAD experience overwhelming feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, leading to thoughts of death and suicide.
A common misconception about suicide is that it occurs more frequently in the dark months of winter, when in fact, suicide rates spike drastically in April, May, and June. If you are having thoughts of suicide or know someone who is, seek help immediately.
How Do I Find Mental Health Therapy?
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to raise public awareness about the symptoms and impacts of mental health disorders. Still, there remain several barriers to finding mental health treatment, including:
- Financial barriers, both real and perceived
- A lack of qualified mental health professionals
- A lack of mental health education and awareness
- Deficiency in comprehensive mental health policies
- Social stigma
Additionally, many people are unaware of or in denial about their mental health disorders, while many others are misdiagnosed so do not receive the proper care. Further, many individuals with mental health disorders self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, and their substance abuse masks their underlying mental health condition.
If you need mental health therapy in New Jersey, turn to Next Wind Recovery in Englewood. We offer high-quality depression treatment through outpatient services designed to fit into your busy life.
Contact Next Wind Recovery for Depression Treatment
If you are suffering from depression and ready to seek help, contact Next Wind Recovery today at 201.331.6569. We offer comprehensive outpatient treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and more. Through our compassionate, evidence-based approach to mental health therapy and co-occurring disorders, you can learn how to beat seasonal depression and overcome other challenges that are preventing you from leading your best life.
