OxfordPress.com

Many people welcome the change of seasons from summer to fall. Cooler temperatures, the beauty of colorful leaves and harvest festivals are among fall's pleasures.

However, not everyone enjoys autumn or the winter months that follow. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, some people feel more tired and sad and often gain weight. Their mood changes may be mild or so severe as to be debilitating. This form of depression, which arrives in the fall and lasts through the winter, is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some experts believe it affects 10 million Americans.

The symptoms of SAD are those common to other types of depression: general sadness, fatigue, loss of interest in normal activities, sleeping more or less than usual, and changes in appetite, particularly cravings for starchy foods. Severe cases can lead to social withdrawal, substance abuse or suicidal thoughts. While SAD shares symptoms of depression, it's important to understand there is a difference.

People who suffer from depression experience symptoms year-round though the symptoms are typically worse in the winter. People with SAD function normally during the spring and summer but begin to have depression symptoms in the fall months. SAD symptoms subside in the spring.

Researchers have discovered a link between a person's exposure to sunlight and mood. What they don't know is why some people experience SAD under winter light conditions while others don't. SAD is more commonly diagnosed in women than men and is rarely found in anyone younger than 20; its symptoms typically appear after age 30.

The good news is that SAD is treatable and treatment can bring a dramatic improvement to a person's quality of life. As a counselor, when I first see clients with any depression symptoms, I ask about diet, sleep habits and exercise routine. Among my initial suggestions are to examine what changes can be made to ensure proper diet and adequate amounts of sleep and exercise. For some people with SAD, lifestyle changes made carefully and consistently may be all they need to manage their symptoms. If it's not enough, other common treatments include medication, counseling, light therapy or a combination of treatment options.

If you have SAD symptoms, talk to your doctor or seek mental health services. A professional can diagnose and treat your condition so you don't miss out on all the positive things fall and winter have to offer.

Patti Wilhoit is a LifeSpan clinical counselor.

For more information about clinical counseling or other programs, call

(

513

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868-3210 or visit lifespanohio.org.