The seasonal shift to winter is a big change, especially in Texas where we are accustomed to having the sun’s heat for most of the year. The days are shorter, nights are longer, and the sun plays it coy.

If you find yourself feeling depressed during the long winter  year-after-year, there might be something more going on than just the “winter blues.”

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in the seasons and it begins and ends at about the same time every year. Most people with SAD start to experience their symptoms in the fall and continue into the winter months.

Although the disorder’s acronym is ironically SAD, there are more symptoms than just feeling down.

Symptoms of SAD could include:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day

• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed

• Having low energy or feeling fatigued

• Having problems sleeping

• Experiencing changes in appetite or weight

• Feeling sluggish or agitated

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty

• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

What can help?

The good news is that SAD can be effectively treated in a variety of ways, such as:

• Talk therapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Antidepressants, most commonly selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Sitting in front of a “light therapy box,” which mimics natural outdoor light

• Vitamin D supplements

• Getting fresh air, especially when the sun is out

• Practicing regular exercise and eating nutrient-dense foods

• Having a positive support network. Connecting with those we love releases “feel-good” hormones like oxytocin in our brains.

When to get help?

After the year we’ve had, it’s normal to experience ups and downs, have rough patches, or even days when you don’t want to get out of bed. However, if you begin to experience these symptoms for days at a time and can’t find motivation to participate in the activities you normally enjoy, see a doctor or mental health professional for an assessment.

How to find help?

Embarking on the journey of finding mental health resources can be overwhelming. The internet can give so many results and it can be hard to ask a friend for a referral because of the stigma that still exists around mental health.

We can help. HereForTexas.com is a searchable online database of more than 900 Texas mental health providers. You can search by provider, mental health concern, age, language, location, payment option, and other helpful filters. The website also offers a wide array of information on mental health and addiction topics. It’s a great one-stop-shop for mental health resources.

Grant Halliburton Foundation also offers the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line, a free helpline offering guidance, information, resources, and support for North Texans looking for mental health resources. Callers are connected to a trained mental health navigator who can offer support and information about services and resources in their area. These are trained volunteers who will gather pertinent information from the caller regarding their needs. Then, they will forward the information to an experienced mental health professional who will help to identify specific resources tailored to the caller’s needs.

The Here for Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is open during the holidays. If you need help, give the free helpline a call at 972.525.8181. Se habla Español.

Normal Operating Hours

Monday–Thursday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Special Holiday Hours

December 28–31
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day