Each year, seasonal depression affects millions of Americans. Another name for seasonal depression is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and symptoms of the condition include daily feelings of sadness, low energy, and a loss of enjoyment in hobbies or relationships. The onset of seasonal depression typically occurs in the fall, and people battle the condition throughout the winter.
This year, people who suffer from seasonal depression do so during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the effects of social distancing, risk of illness, and sudden changes to routines, the COVID-19 pandemic can place additional stress and pressure on people with seasonal depression.
The article below details the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic can have on people’s mental health and how the COVID-19 pandemic can exacerbate one’s symptoms. We also cover how people can manage their seasonal depression and access behavioral health treatment programs for clinical care.
What is seasonal depression?
Seasonal depression is a mental health condition that affects a significant number of Americans. People who suffer from seasonal depression usually experience depression during the winter months. Although a less common occurrence, seasonal depression sometimes affects people during the summer months, too. Common symptoms of seasonal depression include:
- Changes in sleeping and eating patterns.
- Weight gain.
- Low energy.
- Mood changes and increased irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating and completing tasks.
- No longer enjoying hobbies.
- Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt.
- Thoughts about suicide or self-harm.
There is no single cause of seasonal depression. However, much of the medical community believes that seasonal depression results from changes in hormone levels. One theory is that seasonal depression occurs due to varying serotonin production levels that change with the amount of sunlight exposure a person receives.
The impact of COVID-19 on mental health
In addition to seasonal depression, many people are also dealing with the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. With social distancing measures and increased safety precautions, people have had to change their lifestyles in ways that were unimaginable a year ago. Dealing with those changes can be challenging and can significantly impact a person’s mental health.
In particular, people may experience increased feelings of fear and worry due to COVID-19. People may be concerned about their health, and they may also be concerned about the health of loved ones, particularly individuals in high-risk demographics. Additionally, COVID-19 has brought financial hardship to many families. Many people experience stress about losing their jobs in the current economic climate and paying their bills. Further, the multi-month timeline of the pandemic has left many people feeling exhausted and hopeless.
It is important to note that the stress of COVID-19 can feel even more intense during the holiday season. Hosting guests, sending gifts, and preparing meals can be stressful enough. This year, people have to deal with normal holiday stress and anxiety and have to deal with these stressors in the context of social distancing guidelines. Holiday gatherings, travel, and other get-togethers can cause a person to experience significant stress and anxiety due to potential exposure to the virus.
Dealing with the combined effects of seasonal depression and COVID-19
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are not helpful for a person trying to manage their seasonal depression. The added stress and anxiety that comes from the pandemic can be destabilizing, and those experiences may cause a person to engage in harmful behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse. Additionally, social distancing due to COVID-19 often means prolonged periods of isolation and limited contact with family and friends. Social isolation can lead to intense feelings of loneliness, and these feelings can compound one’s depression.
If you find yourself facing seasonal depression this year during COVID-19, it is important to know that you are not alone in your struggle. Many other individuals are also trying to manage their symptoms during this challenging time, and there is a range of actions that people can take to help address their conditions. These actions include:
- Maintaining a healthy diet.
- Exercising for at least 30 minutes per day.
- Connecting with people you trust, even over the phone.
- Making time to engage in the activities you enjoy.
- Limiting alcohol and tobacco intake.
The above steps are simple, and they are easy to implement. Taking time for self-care can have an enormous impact on a person’s mental health, and these actions can help people significantly improve symptoms of seasonal depression.
Behavioral health programs for seasonal depression
Sometimes, the effects of seasonal depression can be overwhelming, particularly when people feel the additional impact of “COVID depression” or “holiday depression.” People may not be able to manage their symptoms independently, and in such cases, people must know that professional help is available. Without proper treatment, unaddressed seasonal depression typically worsens over time. Seasonal depression does not have to be a yearly part of life forever, and evidence-based treatment methods can result in lasting change.
At Dallas Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, we offer a range of behavioral health treatment programs for people suffering from seasonal depression. We offer both adult inpatient psychiatric programs and several outpatient behavioral health programs, too. Our inpatient mental health programs involve 24-hour monitoring and access to our clinical team around the clock. We also offer inpatient programs for children and inpatient programs for adolescents.
For our outpatient programs, we offer partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs. Both programs allow patients to receive high levels of psychiatric care for seasonal depression and other mental health challenges while still staying at their homes overnight. Partial hospitalization programs often run for five hours per day, while intensive outpatient programs require less clinical hours and typically run for three hours per day. In some cases, people who suffer from seasonal depression also suffer from substance abuse issues. People who suffer from seasonal depression and substance abuse can benefit from our adult inpatient dual-diagnosis treatment programs. Our clinical team is sensitive to the unique needs of dual-diagnosis patients who suffer from various mental health challenges. For patients with chemical dependencies, our dual-diagnosis programs have a chemical detox component. Chemical detox components are inpatient programs that involve 24/7 monitoring and specialized medical care.
How to get started at Dallas Behavioral Health Hospital
Our team at Dallas Behavioral Health Hospital is here to help. If you believe that a behavioral health treatment program may be right for you or a loved one, the first step toward treatment is to contact us online or call us directly at (972) 982-0897. We are always happy to help answer any questions about our programs. When you contact us, a member of our team can help schedule a free mental health assessment. Our clinical team will then review the mental health assessment and suggest a custom treatment plan.