Does your mood worsen as the days get shorter?

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Many people suffer with worsened mood as the summer transitions into darker days. This can look like a dramatic shift or a subtle movement into lowered mood and energy. It can affect people who do not suffer with mood episodes at other times of the year or it can be a worsening of symptoms that are already present.

For some, the ebb of energy and interest at this time of year connects them to the ebbs and flows of nature and facilitates a time to turn inwards and metaphorically hibernate. For others, this time of year is very distressing, it impacts their ability to function and move towards their goals. If you find yourself in the latter camp, reach out earlier rather than later to your PMHNP or make a connection if you don’t have one on your team yet. There are supports that can be put in place before mood worsens further to get you through this winter in a better space, and just as importantly, to proactively set you up for next winter so that the seasonal shift goes a little more smoothly.