Feeling Blue This Winter? It Could Be SAD

Given the cold weather and overall gloominess of winter, many people find themselves in a funk this time of year. For others, however, these winter blues can balloon into Season Affective Disorder (SAD), which is much more serious.

The National Institute of Mental Health describes SAD as “the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight,” and symptoms can include a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, a tendency to oversleep and overeat, and a loss of interest in pleasurable activities.

These symptoms are especially dangerous to those trying to recover from

substance use disorders, as (simply put) recovery requires energy and sustained effort, concentration on healthy thought patterns and activities and in seeking clarity. HALT (hungry angry lonely tired) plays into oversleeping and overeating as does impulsivity. And, losing interest in pleasurable things often leads to isolation - something that is often deadly to those trying to recover.

Each year, about half of Americans reports feeling down when winter comes around. While the exact number of people suffering from SAD is not known, the National Alliance on Mental Illness says it’s believed that between 10%-20% of the U.S. population may suffer from mild symptoms associated with the disorder. Three out of four SAD sufferers are women.

Here are a few tips to help ward off SAD and boost your spirits:

· Take a walk outside in the light. This allows you to get some exercise which is shown to treat depression in general, and it also exposes you to more sunlight which has also been shown to effectively treat depressed mood in the winter months.

· Modify your activities for the weather. Try taking up hobbies that are more compatible with the season.

· Plan regular social activities with friends or family that get you out of the house so you don’t hibernate.

If these ideas don’t give you any relief, then it’s time to reach out to a professional. Unfortunately, instead of seeking help, many people struggling with SAD try to self-medicate the issue with drinking and drug use. Substance abuse is a common problem among people who are diagnosed with depressive disorders such as SAD. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 20% of people diagnosed with a mood disorder are also living with a substance abuse problem.

As I mentioned, SAD can be dangerous for people already in recovery --- especially if the individual doesn’t know what’s causing his/her sadness. If people feel the joy has gone out of their sobriety, they may contemplate drinking or doing drugs again ---- or worse, do it. But once someone realizes that SAD is the cause of their depression, it’s possible to bring it under control.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of SAD that don’t seem to be improving, seek professional advice right away. The sooner you get help, the more effective you will be in preventing the development of a substance abuse disorder or addiction that doesn’t go away with the return of spring.

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David Bohl is Executive Director of Kiva Recovery, the trusted resource in addiction treatment. Focusing on the individual and the strengths within each of us, Kiva’s treatment approach aims to replace addiction with solution-focused, growth-oriented strategies focusing on Lifelong Recovery through Holistic Health, Positive Character Building through Continuous Character Growth, and Life Satisfaction through Contentment. The Kiva Recovery treatment center is located in Vernon Hills. To learn more, please visit www.KivaRecovery.com.