Winter depression, winter blues, cabin fever – No matter what you call it, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a type of depression.

It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of people in the United States will experience SAD some time between fall and spring each year. As the days grow shorter and there are less daylight hours people are more likely to experience the symptoms of SAD.

The symptoms can be one or more of the following: depressed feeling, irritability, less energy, loss of interest in normal activities, weight gain, change in appetite and avoiding of social situations. The symptoms can be mild or have a negative impact on the quality of one’s life.

For mild symptoms of SAD, light therapy might be effective. This would include going outdoors in daylight hours even if there is a cloud cover. Tanning in a tanning bed for a few minutes several times per week is reported to help some who suffer from mild SAD symptoms.

It is easy to stay indoors and get little exercise during the winter months, which may factor into why so many people are prone to mild forms of SAD. If this describes you, then getting more exercise may be all that is needed to lift the winter blues.

Most communities have gyms to join at a variety of different costs. Stores sell all kinds of exercise tapes that might be helpful. Walking at a brisk pace for one to three miles a day outdoors would give light exposure and exercise.

It doesn’t really matter what kind of exercise so long as one is exercising.

If exercise and light exposure do not lift the symptoms of SAD it could be that the case is moderate to severe. Since the quality of one’s life depends on feeling good, then it may be necessary to consult your family care provider and/or mental health provider. Together they can assess the need for medication management and severity of SAD.

By understanding triggers and learning coping skills, your mental health professional can help reduce symptoms and the likelihood of them reoccurring.

Kimberly Lindsay is the director of Community Counseling Solutions, which provides outpatient mental health and alcohol and drug treatment services for Grant County. For information about SAD or a no-cost screening, call the office at 575-1466.