Colder temperatures can trigger seasonal affective disorder

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)-  As we head into the colder months, people may find themselves getting the “winter blues” .

According to the American Psychiatric Association, seasonal affective disorder usually affects people from ages 18 to 30.

While there is no official cure, there are ways to help keep yourself feeling good.

When the temperatures begin to drop, you may also notice a change in your mood.

Across the United States, around 10 million Americans experience seasonal affective disorders, also known as S.A.D.

Counselor Darlene Strickland said most people are diagnosed during the fall and winter months.

“It is a form of depression that is triggered by seasons or change of length of days, lack of sunlight, the cold weather things that keep us secluded in an inside more,” said Strickland.

Symptoms of S.A.D are similar to depression.

“The difference is that it’s triggered differently, but clinically it’s still depression. It’s triggered by or the on-sets that start with the season changing,” said Strickland.

Strickland suggested rather than turning to isolation, sadness, or loss of interest try to continue your normal daily routine.

” hink about it differently. What’s the good in the rain, what’s the good in the cold weather. Find something good about it and focus on the good in it rather than about the bad and also do find things to do. Like just don’t sit inside cause it’s rainy or cold. Continue to do the things you might would do when the days when longer, it’s just darker earlier,” said Strickland.

In the meantime, Strickland recommended for people to surround themselves with friends or loved ones to help lift their spirits.

“Treating yourself to a spa day, therapy day, or a shopping day. If someone reaches out to you don’t say “Oh it’ll be okay” because it’s serious. Depression is very serious because whether it’s seasonal or is clinically full-time depression it’s very serious. Ask the doctor for a prescription, because a prescription could be a seasonal solution,” said Strickland.

For more information about seasonal affective disorder, click here.