This time of year is well known for the challenging impact it can have on our mental health. Seasonal Affective Disorder – also often called the Winter Blues – can make us feel low and anxious, lacking in energy and optimism. If this is something that you struggle with then there are lots of things that you can do to help yourself, including speaking to our private psychiatrist.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
SAD – or the Winter Blues – got its name because it’s something that tends to recur on an annual basis at the same time (the start of winter). If you struggle with SAD then you’ll probably notice that the symptoms begin as the days get shorter. The early months at the start of the year can be particularly difficult, as the days are short and the weather is bad. We don’t currently have enough information to pinpoint exactly what causes SAD. However, we do know that it is probably linked to there being less sunlight in winter. Humans need sunlight, as it affects the balance of chemicals in our brains. One theory is that less sunlight means less stimulation for the part of the brain that is responsible for mood, appetite and sleep. Hence the symptoms of SAD, which can include feeling low, sleeping more and wanting to do less.
How to Cope with SAD
If you recognise the symptoms of SAD – or that your mood really shifts as we head into the winter months – then it’s worth looking at some professional help. Our private psychiatrist can help to look at the symptoms you’re noticing and work out whether they are potentially being caused by the Winter Blues. Sometimes, the start of the process of managing something like this is telling someone who understands and getting clarity on what’s happening so that you can work with it. A private psychiatrist will be able to help you work through the challenges you’re experiencing – because this can be very individual – and to understand how the lack of light can impact hormones like serotonin, as well as your body’s circadian rhythms.
Seeing a Private Psychiatrist to Treat the Winter Blues
A private psychiatrist will ask you more about your lifestyle when talking about whether you have SAD, for example patterns in eating and sleeping as well as any shifts in mood. There are a number of options available to help treat SAD, including light therapy, which is designed to give your body the exposure to sunlight that it might be lacking in winter. Working with a private psychiatrist can also give you tools to handle the emotional and mental effects of the Winter Blues, so that you can begin to manage your feelings differently and avoid feeling so overwhelmed by them.
Chase Lodge Hospital’s Private Psychiatry
The Winter Blues – or SAD – are a very real challenge for a lot of people at this time of year. Working with one of our private psychiatrists can provide a way to approach the Winter Blues from a different perspective so that you can have a different experience of it this year. Get in touch to book your appointment and set yourself on the road to a brighter future.