People who normally are hit about this time of year with SAD — seasonal affective disorder — are finding the pandemic to be an additional burden.
Allison Johnsen is a psycho-therapist and manager of program development at the Behavioral Health Department at Central DuPage Hospital.
She said the pandemic is going to have a multiplier effect on people who struggle with SAD. Her department is already seeing a lot more people needing mental health services, she said Friday.
"The things that we would normally do to stay happy and healthy and content — like seeing people, touching people, hugging people, doing our usual rituals, having things to look forward to — are so different this year."
Johnsen says it’s important for people to get exercise of some kind. And if they can’t get enough natural light outside, take Vitamin D3 or get a light box with at least 10,000 lux.
"We’ve got to figure out some creative ways to get outside, to get that light, to get that exercise,” she added.
If people have to get exercise inside, she suggests people try an exercise video or yoga.
Johnsen also advises people to see their doctor or mental health professional sooner rather than later.
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