Page 18 - ENEWS-November _ Fall 2020 Edition_Classical

Kings & Queens Volume V11, No. 2

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

How Common is Seasonal “NOT JUST THE

Affective Disorder Be gentle with yourself. WINTER BLUES”
Presenter: Be kind to yourself and love yourself. Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Dr. Maureen Cort-Blackson If you have to do something that is not It is a type of depression that is related to
priority, take a break!
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of mood changes in seasons. Typically, symptoms start
in Fall and continue into the winter months
disorder that is most prevalent/problematic Listen to the “voice” in your body. sapping your energy and making you feel
during the time of year with the shortest day- moody. It less often causes depression in
light hours. Recognize the early warning signs of spring or early summer.
stress and take time to renew your spirit
While we do not know the exact cause, one through meditation and helping others in Depressive episodes are a primary public
theory states that less sunlight during winter need. health problem and is one of the most common
months leads to the brain making less serotonin. psychiatric conditions.
During this Pandemic, over 210,000
How does this information influence the current have succumbed leaving some of us The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Men-
COVID-19 Pandemic that is on the rise again? “psychologically numbed” tal Disorders (DSM-IV) describes ‘Seasonal
Affective Disorder’ not as a separate mood
And how does this impact our Mental Health? — Wear your masks. One size disorder but as a “specifier,” referring to the
does not fit all. Make sure seasonal pattern of major depressive episodes
During the seasons with longer periods of dark- that your nose and mouth are that can occur within major depressive and
ness and shorter hours of light, the body’s properly covered with no gaps bipolar disorders.
sleep / wake cycle is disrupted. The important around your face.
hormones, Melatonin and Serotonin are affect- Typical signs and symptoms of depression
ed. — Wash your hands regularly. predominate in cases of winter depression and
include the following:
MELATONIN: is the hormone our bodies — Maintain social distancing (1) increased rather than decreased sleep;
produce when it is dark. It tells us to start guidelines. (2) increased rather than decreased appetite
winding down and helps to initiate sleep. and food intake with carbohydrate craving;
Melatonin promotes restful sleep. Social Distancing does not mean “social (3) marked increase in weight;
isolation,” Engage with family and (4) irritability;
Day light triggers our brain to stop producing friends virtually via, Zoom, Google (5) interpersonal difficulties (especially rejec-
melatonin, leading to wakefulness and alert- Hangouts, FaceTime and other plat- tion sensitivity)
ness. forms. (6) leaden paralysis (a heavy, feeling in the
arms or legs).
During Fall / Winter, (with longer nights and
shorter days), the body may produce too much
melatonin and create feelings of grogginess and Take good care of your Mental Health We are here to help. It’s not just the winter
lack of energy. and your physical health. blues!

SEROTONIN: is the hormone our body Prepared by,
produces to regulate our mood. Reduced Lion Debera Tyndall
sunlight during the winter months lowers the
body’s production of Serotonin. Research has
shown that a deficit in serotonin contributes to
depression and adversely affects sleep, appetite,
memory, and sexual desires.
A side effect of COVID-19 is Pandemic Fa-
tigue. Patients wrestle with intense emotions
caused by inaccurate and frequently changing
information that lead to fear and anxiety. This
can be energy- draining.

Mental Health professionals recommend that
clients reach out to their health provider when
feeling overwhelmed and unable to sustain
daily life schedules. Emotional health is just as
important as caring for your physical health.