Winter blues could be Seasonal Affective Disorder
Blue Monday is the day we figure out how much we overspent on Christmas, when we realize we’re behind on New Year’s resolutions or when we realize the weather isn’t going to get better for months.
Seasonal Affective Disorder could also play a role in the lower moods. The disorder is recognized as a form of depression which is related to the changing seasons.
While there are a few cases of the disorder affecting people in the spring or summer months, a majority of people who suffer experience symptoms in the fall and winter. For those who feel they may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, there are supports in the Gateway to the North.
“First, go to your doctor if you’re looking for forms of treatment,” Rosalie Meyer, the walk-in and intake coordinator for mental health outpatient services, said. “If you don’t think it’s that severe, there are those lightboxes you can buy that simulate sunshine.”