PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Colder weather, less daylight and seasonal changes can affect your overall mood. Seasonal affective disorder, which affects millions of people across the country, can begin with the first signs of fall or winter.
Bill Emahiser, a Professional Clinical Counselor with Unison Health, breaks down how you can enjoy this fall and winter to the fullest.
Seasonal affective disorder can be one of the most challenging mental obstacles to go through during the colder months of the year.
Colder temperatures and less daylight lead to less time outside, which some people thrive on, but what exactly is seasonal affective disorder?
"Seasonal disorder is a major depressive disorder which typically occurs in fall and winter months when there is less sunlight," said Emahiser. "It typically impacts women more so than men."
If you don't how to identify seasonal affective disorder, a lot of the symptoms are going to be the same thing as major depressive disorder.
We see sadness, we see fatigue, lack of energy," said Emahiser. "Some of the things that are kind of unique to this type of depression is that we see hypersomnia, so sleeping a lot."
For some who may be concerned for their loved ones, there are a few ways to point out the initial stages.
"Often times what you are going to see is someone who’s having a difficult time getting out of bed. They typically are having impairment in their abilities to interact in social situations, they might become more withdrawn," said Emahiser. "You might see them miss days at work or maybe avoid going to school, so really starting to see an impairment in their ability function day to day."
"The root of seasonal depression can all begin with the sun," added Emahiuser. "The theory behind it is that there is a lack of vitamin D. The sun is integral in our processing of vitamin D, and so when we see that vitamin D decrease, we see an impact in the neurotransmitters in the brain and then we see depressive symptoms."
Sunny days during the winter come at a cost, but Emahiser suggests that when we do get a sunny day to open the curtains and stay active by taking a short walk and absorbing some of the sun's rays to keep yourself active and going.
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