When the temperature drops, many of us experience the urge to eat more and sleep more. A human version of hibernation, it’s a perfectly normal response to the shorter days of winter. For some, though, that “normal” response can give way to the more serious Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Feelings of depression, lethargy and fatigue may be signs you’re suffering from SAD, a disorder than can severely impair daily life.
Studies show that up to 65.5 percent of people with a substance dependence disorder had at least one mental disorder and 51 percent of people with a mental disorder had at least one substance abuse disorder. Depression at any time of year can contribute to a drug or alcohol problem.
If you think you’re suffering from SAD, treatment is available to help you successfully manage the disorder and it may be as simple as light box therapy. No matter what the degree of your depression, don’t let it go undiagnosed as it can affect other areas of your life and lead to negative behaviors.
For more information on co-occurring disorders and substance abuse treatment, go to dualdiagnosis.org.
Tags: Depression, Dualdiagnosis.org, Fatigue, Hibernate, Lethargy, Light Box Therapy, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Substance Abuse, Substance Dependence, Treatment, Winter Blahs