18 Memorial Medical Milestones • 2024 Issue 1 Feel like hibernating? It could be seasonal depression Do you feel your mood and energy levels wane as winter’s shorter days of sunlight arrive? If so, you could have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). “SAD, sometimes called the ‘winter blues,’ is actually a form of depression,” says Mario Valencia, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist with Lake Charles Memorial Health System. “The low light may interfere with hormones involved in mood and sleep, which, in some people, may contribute to feeling depressed, sleepy, sluggish and/or nervous.” Symptoms typically start in the fall and deepen in winter, then go away in spring and summer. SAD is also four times more common in women than in men. Having underlying anxiety, depression or mood disorders is often associated with a higher likelihood of developing SAD. How it feels Many of the symptoms of SAD are like those of major depression, except that they come and go with the seasons. They include: • Feeling sad or in a low mood most of the time • Wanting to sleep a lot • Having low energy, even if you sleep too much • Losing interest in your usual activities • Gaining weight from overeating, especially carbohydrates (think bread, pasta and pastries) • Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty • Having trouble concentrating • Experiencing worsening anxiety • Having thoughts of death or suicide If you have symptoms like these, take them seriously: Tell your doctor. Mario Valencia, MD Help is available “There are various treatment options that could involve spending time near a special light box (light therapy), going outdoors more often, taking medications, undergoing counseling or doing a combination of all of these things,” says Dr. Valencia. Located only a few blocks east of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, Memorial Behavioral Health Clinic combines psychotherapy and medication management for the community. Licensed professionals provide group, individual and family therapy to address issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, distorted thinking and other symptoms that can disrupt a person’s life. To make an appointment with Dr. Valencia or another behavioral health specialist, please call 337-284-0899. For crisis or mental health emergencies, please go to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s emergency room, located at 1701 Oak Park Blvd. Dial 911 for emergencies or 988 for the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Additional sources: American Psychiatric Association; National Institute of Mental Health
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