Ever wonder why as the weather warms, the ground thaws and grows colorful once again, and we begin to see more sun here in the northern hemisphere, you might find yourself feeling more sluggish, more tired, even more depressed or anxious? Many of us enter this transition into what we consider springtime with expectations of spring clearing. Fresh energy. A renewed and hopeful outlook on life. Or at least on the clutter around the house and dust bunnies hiding in corners. (Or is that just my winter brain?)
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is certainly a condition with which many of us struggle during the colder, darker months during which we tend to be more sedentary, indoors and at times more isolated, and with less access to nourishing sunlight. Predisposition to depression or anxiety can also create a greater sensitivity to these elements which provide the atmosphere in which SAD can develop. However fewer of us are familiar with the equally prevalent and debilitating reality of Reverse-SAD, or as the National Institute of Health coins it, Summer-Pattern SAD. In both regards, for some individuals symptoms can be relatively short-lived and for others can prove particularly debilitating and prolonged, marked by persistently low mood, loss of pleasure or interest, chronic fatigue, feelings of hopelessness or despair, and even suicidal thoughts and impulses.
Spring for many of us does signal a hopeful re-emergence, however for those of us for whom it actually heralds a darkening of our inner world and landscape, it can feel all the more difficult and discouraging to watch the wakening world around come back to life after winter. Harvard psychiatrist John Sharp calls this “the Spring Paradox”, namely that those who have a particular sensitivity or predisposition to debilitating anxiety or depression begin to feel their “cover” of winter isolation removed, leaving such individuals to feel all the more isolated and cut-off from others and thus deepening the pervasive feeling of separation and loneliness often characterizing depression in particular.
So, what can help?
Step 1 is understanding that if you relate to Reverse- or Summer-Pattern SAD, or find yourself just plain struggling (and struggling that you’re struggling) this time of year, know that you’re far from alone and there is a precedent for what you may be experiencing.
Step 2 is to reach out for support. No human can go it alone and the simple act of sharing your experience can be the biggest and most important step in getting yourself more mentally and emotionally resourced. In her book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown writes that “Courage starts by showing up and letting ourselves be [truly] seen…vulnerability feels like courage…[and] is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” Certainly not always easy, but truly critical for change to occur.
Step 3 is to consider professional support in the form of a trained mental health counselor. Speaking with one’s primary care physician can also be a helpful way of assessing the potential benefits of medication should functional impairment prove particularly significant. At minimum, allowing oneself to access mental health care can help get to the roots of the symptoms and support lasting transformation and change. Help and hope are available.
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