SAD – Combat those winter blues

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – It’s the time of year that the days get darker earlier, and sometimes that can affect our mood.

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD, is a mood disorder that occurs the same time each year with weather changes when there is less sunlight. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal. A Great Lakes Recovery therapist says that we live in a climate where we have 6 months of the year and many have taken an old-school approach.

Alexendra Ellis, Great Lakes Recovery therapist, “The evidence shows that lack of sunlight, we are not moving around as much, we are not getting outside as much because it is colder, we want to be inside then we are not getting the sunlight, it definitely is a real thing.”

Therapists say treatment includes light therapy, counseling, and medications prescribed by a medical provider.