OTTUMWA, Iowa (KYOU) – As daylight hours shrink, millions of people may battle with a form of depression that arrives when seasons change.
Ottumwa Regional Health Center experts said this time of year brings more people in for help.
“I think a lot of the local mental health agencies would also say that this is the time of year people reach out more because they feel like they’re not able to manage the regular stressors,” said Joan Heslinga Boer of Ottumwa Regional Health Center.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that sets in with the change of season.
“It’s a type of depression that people get when they need a lot of light and they think that it affects their mood,” Heslinga Boer said.
Factors other than light contribute to depression, including holidays, grief and other stressors. Heslinga Boer said the symptoms can vary.
“If you feel snappy or irritable and that’s not usually the way you feel, those are all things to pay attention to,” she said.
It’s important to check if routines are playing a factor.
“I think it’s important to at first look at ourselves – what am I doing right now that I can help myself. Am I getting enough sleep, am I making it a point to take care of my hygiene, am I eating regular meals,” Heslinga Boer said.
Experts said if symptoms worsen, it’s always best to reach out to a mental health provider.
But most of all, it’s best to “be kind to themselves, give each other a little bit of grace. Everybody is having a difficult time,” she said.
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