This Sunday, November 5th at 2:00 a.m., Daylight Saving Time will set our clocks back 1 hour (i.e., gaining one hour) to “fall back.” With more light in the morning, and less in the evening, experts are promoting awareness of what’s often referred to as seasonal affective disorder or SAD.
However, among medical professionals, this is known as Major Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern.
“It’s very similar to regular depression where folks are start feeling kind of down, losing interest in the things that they normally like to do,” said Dr. Dave Miers, Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Bryan Health, “You may usually like to attend a church activity or play basketball, but you just don’t feel like going to do those things anymore.”
Dr. Miers offered other signs that you may be afflicted by Major Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern:
- Losing interest in normal activities.
- Changes in your weight, either losing or gaining.
- Changes in appetite, eating more or less.
- Changes in sleep patterns, sleeping more or less.
- Low energy.
- Feelings of hopelessness.
- Difficulty concentrating, for a period of two weeks or more.
Dr. Miers tells KLIN News if you are experiencing these symptoms and concerned, there are resources available at bryanhealth.org.
“Take an online screening to first determine if the signs and symptoms are there for depression. If they are, then I would see your family doctor treatment is available,” said Dr. Miers, “It’s one of the most treatable mental illnesses that there are. You could go to therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a very effective treatment or medication or a combination of both.”
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Hotline.