Surprise, surprise, we have six more weeks of winter. Who had the idea of leaving the determination of the coldest season of the year up to a rodent? Especially one named Phil! This winter, we have had to dig ourselves out of the mounds of snow the clouds have dropped on us, much like a groundhog digs out of his burrow, and the abundance of post-holiday snow has not improved my mood.
My saving grace has been my camera and my new puppy. Rufus is an energetic mixed dog we got from a rescue group. Helping an animal in need did help brighten my mood. It made me feel so much better as I looked out at the dreary grey days outside to have a squirming puppy licking me and cuddling me as close as he could get. Helping those around you who are in need can help lighten your mood when you are feeling down, whether they are of the two-legged or four-legged variety.
In the winter, my house can get pretty dark. Our house is nestled at the bottom of a valley, which shortens the length of daylight I get even more than winter does. So I have to take my dogs outside to take pictures of them since the indoor lighting is poor. Getting outside requires layers upon layers of clothing, but as soon as I am outside taking photographs of my dogs running and jumping and playing in the snow, I find myself laughing. And by the time our play session is over and we come inside, I am ready for a nap.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression; it is also called the winter blues or winter depression. SAD occurs when a person suffers from depressive symptoms during the months of winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder is thought to be caused by a person’s reduced exposure to sunlight due to the shortened (and cold) days of winter. Cloud cover can increase the symptoms by reducing exposure to sunlight even more. Symptoms of SAD include eating too much or too little, sleeping too much or too little, feeling hopeless or helpless, and a decrease in energy level. There are treatment options available for SAD, which includes light therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medications. For light therapy, a person is exposed to a bright light, usually coming from a device called a light box. If you would like more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder, please do not hesitate to call (740-522-1341) or email (prevention@mhalc.org) us here at MHALC. We would be happy to hear from you and help you!
The good news is that the bulk of winter is behind us and spring is on its way. At least I hope so. It’s Ohio, so it very well may snow in June. Who knows?
--Brittany Schumann
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
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