When the days start getting shorter and darker, you may notice that your mood, energy levels, and motivation drop alongside this shift. You may find yourself sleeping more, craving rich foods, and feeling like you are just not getting enough done each day. If this is something that happens to you every fall and winter, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It can be especially difficult for teens when school, sports, and other activities are affected by these changes.
The good news is that SAD can be treated. With seasonal affective disorder treatment in McLean, you or your teen can work through these depressive feelings, even during the darkest months of the year. Our concierge mental health practice includes psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, clinical social workers, and psychologists. We are all here to help you feel supported, understood, and hopeful as the seasons change.
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons. For most people, symptoms begin in the fall or winter and ease up later in the spring or summer. According to the American Psychiatric Association, in a given year, it is estimated that about 5% of people in the United States will experience SAD, and symptoms can last for about 40% of the year. This means that while it may be temporary, SAD can affect you for almost half of the year and should not be dismissed as a fleeting concern.
Researchers believe that shorter days and less sunlight can alter your body’s internal clock, as well as the hormones and brain chemistry that influence mood. In other words, a lack of sunlight can affect how your body regulates sleep, energy, and mood. Luckily, SAD treatment in McLean is available to treat this as a real, documented medical condition.
We strongly believe that treatment should fit your life and your schedule. Getting treatment for seasonal affective disorder in McLean starts with taking note of your symptoms. This includes:
Therapy and psychiatric care can and should take place within one practice, rather than requiring you to coordinate between different offices. Because we offer comprehensive services under one umbrella, you can work with a team that shares information and coordinates your care. As a concierge practice, we take the time to listen and shape your treatment plan to your needs.
Our office will not automatically default to antidepressant medication for SAD symptoms. Therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can help address unhelpful thoughts and habits associated with the changing seasons. Light therapy, which involves sitting near a bright light box each morning, is another option that your care team can guide you through. If medication is recommended, our team will carefully monitor the dose and any side effects and can discuss whether and when to taper you or your teen off medication as the seasons change.
Seasonal affective disorder is a real medical condition that is well documented and can have real consequences for your ability to live your life as the seasons change. If you are struggling with SAD, do not simply wait for Spring to return.
Come to our office and learn more about seasonal affective disorder treatment in McLean. You can learn to manage this condition during this season and in the future. Our team is here to support you through the hardest parts of the year and empower you to approach next winter with a stronger plan. Contact us today to get started.
