Clients at my practice have shown an increase in depressive symptoms in the past month. This is typical for this time of year. The decrease in sunlight causes the Winter Blues, or technically, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Our brains are dependent on chemicals from sunlight to create the happy chemicals. You may have noticed you are feeling more: sad, irritable, grumpy, touchy, or frustrated this month. If this is you, make an effort to get more sunlight. Sit outside during lunch. Go for a short walk before work. Anywhere you can get an extra 20-40 minutes of sunlight will be an improvement.
Autumn Hahn is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist practicing at Clear Mind Group in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, New York, and Virginia. Call 407-494-5280 for a consultation. Follow Clear Mind Group on Twitter & Facebook.
I told you last week, that I’ve been in a funk. As a mental health counselor, it’s my responsibility to be a good example, to shake off any stigma, and do what needs to be done to get well. That is why I’m sharing this with you, despite being fairly private about my personal life to clients.
Clinical depression is categorized in a number of ways and the ways it effects you may be different from the ways it effects others. There may be no preceding event and no “good reason” for feeling so sad, but you may feel the weight of sadness just the same. It can come on in waves, or suddenly, or gradually – and all of that is perfectly normal.
Short-Term Therapy 