Experts give advice on battling seasonal depression

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Winter is just around the corner and doctors want folks to be on the lookout for seasonal depression.

“It is called sad or seasonal affective disorder. It is pretty common, and it is present in 5% of the people in the United States,” said Dr. Anuj Chandra, Medical Director at the Advanced Center for Sleep Disorders.

Darker evenings can cause you to feel down and have winter blues.

Doctors say your behavior can change throughout the day as well. This is due to lack of sunlight.

“That is why it is classified as seasonal,” said Dr. Chandra. “These symptoms get better when the summer months come. If it has happened two years in a row, then you definitely have seasonal affective disorder.

Symptoms of seasonal depression can include low energy, sadness and excessive sleepiness. 

“You are just sleeping in more than what you normally would in the summer months,” Dr. Chandra said. 

Doctors recommend light therapy for treating seasonal depression.

But if it gets worse, you should contact your doctor.

“Anytime there is light, or even if it’s a cloudy day, motivate yourself and go outdoors, or sit by the window. Even on a cloudy day, the light that you are getting is very helpful,” Dr. Chandra concluded. 

For more information, visit Advanced Center for Sleep Disorders.