If the lack of extended daylight this time of year has you feeling depressed, you aren't alone.
Mental Health America finds that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) impacts 5 percent of Americans in a given year. Dr. Roxanne Prichard at the University of St. Thomas says that the number of people who experience SAD actually increases based on geography.
"Only about 1 percent of people in Florida are sensitive to it whereas about 10 percent of the people living in really north latitudes like Finland experience it," Dr. Prichard told WCCO Radio's Paul Douglas on Wednesday morning.
Related
Prichard, the scientific director at St. Thomas, said gender also plays a factor when it comes to SAD.
"Women are more likely to experience the symptoms of SAD," Prichard said. "Just as women are sensitive to depression in general."
In fact, women are diagnosed with SAD at four times the rate of men. Symptoms often include depression, a loss of interest in typically enjoyed activities, low energy, and trouble sleeping.
Dr. Prichard adds that while SAD is a tough type of depression to fight, there are some methods that may help people get through the dark months.
"Light is probably the single most powerful, outside force that determines your sleep cycles and your mood," Prichard said. "What I suggest is make the best use of the nine hour or so of sunshine that we get."
Prichard says basic exercise such as walking outside as the sun rises could be that extra needed boost.
"It does a lot of good," added Prichard. "Supplementing that with a dawn-simulating alarm clock, or light box therapy in the mornings before the sunrise is a good way to fight off the winter blues."
Mayo Clinic recommends that anyone experiencing SAD should see a doctor when if you feel down for days at a time, or if you can't get motivated to do activities that your normally enjoy.
They say it's especially important to see a doctor when your sleep patterns and appetite change, you turn to alcohol for comfort or relaxation, or you feel hopeless or think about suicide.