Virtual Online Therapy for Seasonal Depression

When temperatures begin to drop, the sun remains lower in the sky and sets much earlier, and the weather changes for the season, many people notice themselves feeling more down and less energetic. While it can be easy to write off these symptoms as a simple case of “winter blues,” often they are signs of a serious condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If you believe you may be experiencing such seasonal depression, you can take steps to fight it and help boost your mood such as pursuing professional therapy and counseling services.

What is SAD?

SAD is a type of depression triggered by the changing of the seasons, which typically manifests during the winter months. While the exact cause of SAD remains unknown, potential contributing factors include drops in serotonin or melatonin levels and circadian rhythm disruption due to the reduced hours of sunlight. Be on the lookout for certain common symptoms of this condition, such as fatigue and low energy, poor sleep, loss of interest in activities you would normally enjoy, weight or appetite changes, difficulty concentrating, ease of agitation, and thoughts of suicide.

If your lack of motivation and dampened spirits persist for more than a few days, it’s recommended to see a doctor. Once you have been diagnosed with SAD, there will be various treatment options available to you, the most popular of which being light therapy. Working on improving your overall mental well-being through traditional talk therapy may benefit you as well.

Why Consider Therapy?

Therapy will teach you to take control of your mindset. If you practice identifying negative thoughts, you can work on actively changing them into associations that make you feel better. Therapy often helps patients manage stress, develop coping skills, find resolutions, and increase their communication skills.

Our therapists will inform you of healthy ways to cope with your SAD symptoms. You will gain a better understanding of self and learn the tools you need to establish and realize a path to meeting your goals. Keeping active and accomplishing things will create positivity in your life. When it comes to dealing with SAD, avoidance behavior is common, so it is especially important to schedule activities.

Contact Us Today for SAD Counseling

Thrive Counseling & Consulting, PLLC offers virtual online therapy for your convenience and safety. We assist patients throughout Apex, Cary, Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Greensboro, Hope Mills, and the surrounding areas of North Carolina with a variety of situations, including seasonal depression. Contact us today to schedule your first session!