Counseling for Success

Kiomi Mount, LICSW, DCSW

Depression Counseling

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

If you have recurrent feelings of depression that coincide with the change of seasons, you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms of SAD usually begin in October or November and subside in March or April.

Symptoms of SAD

•  Strong desire to "hibernate"

•  Decreased sexual interest

•  Carbohydrate cravings

•  Daytime fatigue

•  Oversleeping

•  Weight gain

•  Lethargy

•  Hopelessness

•  Suicidal thoughts

•  Social withdrawal

•  Lack of interest in normal activities

•  Increased energy and remission of symptoms in the Spring

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Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder

If you have mild symptoms, increased daily exposure to sunlight can help alleviate symptoms.  Taking a 20 minute walk outside or sitting by a window at home or work is helpful.

For more severe symptoms, a combination of light therapy and counseling can be highly beneficial. You can purchase special light boxes from the Sunbox Company, the Center for Environmental Therapeutics, and Apollo Health.  These light boxes have been used in clinical and research settings.  The cost of light boxes vary from $250-$400.

Working with a counselor can be very beneficial while using light therapy since you may need someone to help regulate its use and application.  Like medication, the timing, intensity, and frequency of the light may need some adjustment according to your specific biochemistry and symptoms.  Furthermore, after prolonged use, you may even begin to "taper" the frequency or reduce the amount of time you sit in front of the light box.  Working with a professional can help you maximize the benefits of phototherapy.

Additionally, counseling is helpful if you feel stuck in your life or you continue to have gloomy, negative thoughts.  Your thought patterns and activities may be contributing to your SAD symptoms. 

A recent study demonstrated that people who received light therapy alone had a higher level of relapse than people who received both counseling and light therapy.  Counseling can help you change thought patterns and reinforce healthy behaviors to prevent relapse of symptoms.

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