Moody During the Holidays

Sad, Solemn, and Sour

😔😭😠

Hey Everyone,

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs FREE emergency help, professionals are available 24/7 across Minnesota.

Call or text 988 for Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Get online assistance at: 988 Lifeline Chat and Text - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The National Hotline for Mental Health Crises and Suicide Prevention | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness website has a plethora of additional resources allocated for mental health conditions.

*One simple call could prevent a tragedy*

I recently learned that 9-8-8 is for mental health crises like 9-1-1 is for health emergencies. 

And, back in July of 2022, the FCC implemented a plan to make 988 operational nationwide! Am I the only one that wasn't aware of this?

The Holidays Aren't Good Vibes for Everyone

Ever notice how daylight savings +the holidays +the change of seasons = weird emotional effects on our mood? Is Mercury in retrograde again?

 
We all experience "bah-humbug-ish" moments here and there. But for some folks though, it's more than just a sour mood or winter blues, it's a downright adverse effect to their mental state.  

The term seasonal depression or SAD (seasonal adverse disorder) is a mental health condition that causes persistent sadness and other depressive symptoms around certain times of the year. 

Seasonal Adverse Disorder doesn't discriminate and can afflict people of all ages- kids, teens, adults, and seniors alike. 

*Please note- I am not a licensed mental health counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist, however I have done some research for this blog. 

According to Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School,

"Every year, as the days become short and dark, people with SAD develop a predictable set of symptoms. They slow down and have a hard time waking up in the morning, energy levels decrease, they tend to eat more, especially sweets and starches, and they gain weight."

Rosenthal further explains that concentration suffers, they may withdraw from family and friends, their work and relationships degrade, and they can become quite depressed. 

These symptoms often last 4 or 5 months, or until the days become longer again. 

Furthermore, since the syndrome is linked to a lack of light, people with SAD may become depressed even during cloudy weather at any time of year, or if they are confined to windowless offices or basement apartments.

To Clarify

...just because someone is acting like the Grinch and/or having random mood swings, doesn't mean they have SAD. Avoid "backseat diagnosing" others or yourself since you aren't the licensed mental health care professionals. 

Coping During the Holidays

Dr. Rosenthal suggests:

• stress management 
• exercise programs 
• light therapy 
• and psychotherapy (with medication if needed) 

These are the main treatments for SAD, with 60-80 percent of suffers benefiting from light therapy. 

He also suggests adjusting holiday traditions in order to avoid unpleasant social gatherings. That could mean saying "No" to certain events and activities altogether, and replacing them with something more meaningful and fulfilling, like volunteering or taking a solo trip.  

His advice for anyone who thinks they may have these symptoms, 

"Consider professional treatment. A good clinical interview is the best diagnostic tool and for more quantitative approaches, there's the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), which was developed specifically for SAD."  

Additional resources:

• Crisis Text Line: Free help is available 24/7 by texting HOME to 741741 or texting AYUDA for help in Spanish.
• The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386
• Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670

EM

References:

 Rosenthal NE. Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder. New York, NY: Guilford Press; 2006.