How to Beat Seasonal Depression

Chances are you have heard of the term “Seasonal Depression” but not many understand what it truly is and the effects it has so many to this day. Seasonal Depression is a mood disorder that causes symptoms of depression around the same time every year. There are several causes for this, including the effects of decreased sunlight on your circadian rhythm, melatonin, and serotonin levels. While those are very significant reasons those are just some of the possible causes of this disorder. Some of the other causes can be more on the emotional side, from things like not having a loved one around for the holidays, the realization of a new year coming, and no progress being made, to all the financial stress at the end of the year can bring. The truth is that the holidays can be filled with stressors, triggers, and many causes of depression.One of the most effective ways to help individuals experiencing these issues in counseling. To have someone to talk to through everything you are thinking and feeling during this time is huge but having a trained professional to talk to is even better.
A licensed counselor applies counseling and psychotherapeutic techniques to identify and remediate cognitive, mental, and emotional issues, including personal growth, adjustment to disability, psychosocial and environmental problems, and crisis intervention.

Sometimes it can be even harder to talk with friends and family about what we are going through for fear of being judged or they simply just may not understand. With a trusted counselor, you can out at ease knowing they understand and are equipped with ways to help you through the storm. Seasonal depression, although temporary, is a form of depression and can be very debilitating, affecting sleep cycles, eating patterns, interpersonal relationships, and overall wellness. Anyone who is adversely impacted deserves support. If you or someone you know is struggling with this, please do not hesitate to find help through counseling. The holidays should be a time of joy, don’t waste time feeling stuck, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of support through counseling.

The Cure to Loneliness

Have you ever been in a room full of people but still felt lonely? If you have you then you know to be lonely does not necessarily mean the absence of people but rather a feeling of emptiness. Many experience loneliness without actually knowing what to attribute the feeling to, they just know they feel it. If you can relate then I have good news for you, feelings are not permeant! Feelings are actually, very fickle and can be determined by a variety of factors.
Experiences that might contribute to feelings of loneliness include:

The loss of a loved one
A sudden breakup
Single parenthood
Retirement
Moving to a new area or going away for college
Surviving abuse

The feeling of loneliness is usually accompanied by the belief that there is no choice in the matter or “no way out”. For many people, loneliness is a transient state that passes eventually. But when a person’s social needs and desires go consistently unmet, feelings of loneliness may become chronic and debilitating and lead to a decline in their mental health. Loneliness has been linked to a variety of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and substance dependency. It may also contribute to disruptions in eating and sleeping patterns. Feelings of loneliness may sometimes develop to such an extent that they lead an individual to engage in acts of self-harm or have thoughts of suicide.