Surviving The Long Winter: Differentiating SAD from Winter Blues and Finding Our Way Forward

It’s that time of year! The cold weather, the snow, the inability to go outside to walk the dog or enjoy nature, the darkness that prevails morning and night, tax season, the election; it seems everything contributes to an ongoing sense of gloom and doom.

While it's common to feel temporarily "blue," it’s important to recognize when those feelings escalate into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or clinical depression. For many, the winter months can be particularly challenging for mental health. Although we often hear the term "SAD," what are the actual diagnostic symptoms, and what effective remedies exist for managing this malady?

Today’s episode will take a deep dive into the mental health diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder and explore the strategies that can help manage this condition. Our goal is to provide information that benefits not only those experiencing SAD, but also their friends and family who wish to offer support.

Show Notes:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder.

https://www.psychiatry.org/Patients-Families/Seasonal-Affective-Disorder.

Https://Palousemindfulness.com.