Lincoln Doctors, Licensed Therapists Give Warning Signs of Seasonal Depression

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Seasonal affective disorder, also known as seasonal depression, affects nearly 10,000,000 Americans.

It is four times more common in women than in men, but can strike anyone at any time, especially during the fall and winter seasons.

Professionals have said that this change in weather can bring down seasonal depression, but people shouldn’t ignore it. Experts said to seek out and get the help you might need.

“It doesn’t discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, sexual orientation or anything. Anyone can handle it, ”said Rachel Denney, PLMHP, NCC, CPC, Parallels Counseling Registered Therapist.

Almost five percent of Americans suffer from seasonal depression. Doctors said it could last 40% of the year.

“When the weather is darker or less sunny, it sometimes happens because we can’t go out as much. We’re not exposed to the outdoors, we’re not as active, ”said Dr Stacy Waldron, registered psychologist at Bryan Health.

So what should you do?

“The best thing you can do is reach out, tell someone else that you have these feelings or have negative thoughts so that you can have someone else to bounce your ideas off of.” . You can have someone to help you validate what you’re feeling and going through, ”Denney said.

The holiday season is also fast approaching, and for those in mourning, the next few months can be difficult to navigate.

“This person is still emotionally with me. So how can I keep this in a positive light? A lot of times when we’re working in therapy, we take them to those more positive places, ”Dr. Waldron said.

Places like Parallels Counseling offer in-person therapy sessions. Bryan Health also has the option of performing a free, anonymous mental health screening HERE.

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