Seasonal depression approaching as winter nears
Today is National Free Depression Screening Day.
The holidays season is rapidly approaching, for some, it can be a trigger for depression.
One in four Americans will suffer from a mental disorder in a given year. As the days get shorter, less light can mean more depression. A diagnosis known as Seasonal Effective Disorder.
"Sometimes changes of seasons and birthdays and holidays that are more public, sometimes those kinds of things are things that bring up a lot of sad and hard feelings for people," Marcia Epstein, Headquarters Counseling, said.
Anxious behavior is a key sign of depression.
Patricia Smith, of Bert Nash, says the two disorders are often linked. Smith says, if you think you or someone you know may be affected, abrupt changes should not be overlooked.
"If you're not sleeping well, a lot, and you normally don't have trouble sleeping, or you're sleeping a lot and you don't normally sleep that often," she said.
Smith says depression slows productivity in the office, depressed people often have difficulty concentrating.
According to Smith, it's important to be sensitive when dealing with someone who may suffer. When approaching the topic, she says to draw attention to what you've seen firsthand.
"You have really changed your eating habits and you're sleeping a lot. I would really make reference to what you've observed and say that worries me,” Smith said.
Epstein suggests getting out in the sunlight during these winter months, and purchasing brighter bulbs in the home.