Do you have the winter blues? Do you find yourself facing mood switches that go from feeling good and motivated to lacking energy or interest in life? You may need support. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a condition that can bring these types of ups and downs and typically occurs during the winter months. Failure to treat this can lead to self-medication through drugs and alcohol, the development of substance addiction, and the need for drug addiction treatment.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) occurs in many people, both men and women, during the darkest part of the year. Often hitting its peak in January and February, a person with these winter blues often feels depressed and down, unable to participate in things they used to enjoy, and struggling with energy loss. This condition is often temporary and can improve over time, but it is still necessary to reach out for support when you’re feeling depressed and down like this.
What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Various factors can bring on seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Sometimes, the reduced level of sunlight plays a role. This leaves your biological clock off because of the limited daylight. It also reduces the amount of Vitamin D a person gets, which can create these depressive feelings. Also, serotonin levels, which impact mood, can fall due to the drop in sunlight. Some people also have melatonin level changes due to this, which can make sleeping more difficult.
Men are more at risk for this condition if they have a family history of it or have a history of other mental health disorders.
Symptoms of SAD in Men
The symptoms of this condition can range somewhat between men and women. Often, for men, it will include symptoms such as:
- Feeling depressed daily
- Experiencing mood switches from highs to lows
- Trouble with sleeping and lacking energy
- Feeling helpless and hopeless, worried, and guilty often without cause
- Loss of interest in things enjoyed
- Trouble concentrating
Some people may sleep a great deal when they have this condition but still wake up tired. Some men may also find themselves irritable and lash out at others. Trouble with energy can impact quality of life, the ability to participate in activities at home, and a change in appetite leading to weight loss.
Why Get Support and Treatment for SAD
The winter blues are not something to overlook or push aside. Though men often struggle with getting support, it can prove important to help them overcome these changes. Depression is treatable, even in this form. Waiting it out until spring and summer arrive doesn’t always work. It may last and may lead to major depression in some people, especially if not treatment is sought. Men are also more likely to turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism. That can lead to the onset of addiction.
How to Get Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
There is support available to you in our treatment program. We provide medications that can help to balance the ups and downs of this condition. Then, we work with you through counseling sessions to give you tools to control your thoughts and feelings. Our programs are available to you today, including:
- Men’s rehab program
- Women’s rehab program
- Day partial hospitalization programs
- Day intensive outpatient program
- Evening intensive outpatient program
Call Our Team at Rockland Recovery Treatment Centers for Help Now
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can leave men worried about their future and mental health. For those experiencing the winter blues, support and treatment can create a marked improvement in the quality of life. Our team at Rockland Recovery Treatment Centers can help you with these mood switches, providing you with more control, strategies to fight back, and support for addiction risks. Call 855.732.4842 or connect with us online now.
