Don’t Let Seasonal Affective Disorder Dim Your Winter
[PADUCAH, KY] Jan. 6, 2025 – Have you noticed a shift in your loved one’s mood or a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed? These changes could be signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression linked to the changing seasons.
“SAD is a well-known form of depression that is related to effects on circadian rhythm due to the days getting shorter, which can adversely affect sleep, exercise and energy,” said Chris Hancock, DO, primary care provider with Baptist Health Medical Group Primary Care. “Many people go to work when it is dark and get home when it is dark. The winter obviously negatively impacts outdoor activities and exercise.”
“Providers in our area are very aware of this issue and are ready to provide assistance to community members suffering from SAD,” added Dr. Hancock.
SAD is a type of depression that happens during certain seasons of the year, most often fall or winter. There is no clear cause of SAD, but less sunlight and shorter days are believed to play a part. Baptist Health Paducah is urging community members to educate themselves on the symptoms of SAD so they can recognize when a loved one could be going through a difficult time.
Symptoms:
- Increased sleep and daytime drowsiness
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
- Social withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Excessive fatigue
- Decreased sex drive
- Decreased ability to focus
- Weight gain
While symptoms may improve on their own with a change in season, there are some treatment options available. A combination of light therapy, antidepressant medications and talk therapy can be utilized to treat SAD. Additionally, Vitamin D supplements may improve symptoms. Consult your primary care provider to discuss treatment options that are right for you.
Self-Care
Self-care is another key aspect of relieving symptoms of SAD. This condition can take on a predictable pattern, so patients can develop prevention strategies for severe symptoms they experience.
Self-Care Strategies
- Take a daily walk – Enjoy fresh air and a change of scenery.
- Plan and commit to fun activities – Stay engaged and uplifted.
- Stay social – Connect regularly with friends and family.
- Get moving – Join an exercise group or class for physical activity and motivation.
- Lean on your support network – Share how the season affects you and ask loved ones for accountability and encouragement.
If you or a loved one may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, call Baptist Health Medical Group Primary Care at 270.442.8575 to schedule an appointment.
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Baptist Health Paducah is a regional medical and referral center serving about 200,000 patients a year from four states. With more than 1,300 employees and 364 physicians, it offers more than 40 points of care with a full range of services, including cardiac and cancer care, diagnostic imaging, women’s and children’s services, surgery, emergency treatment, rehabilitation, and more. It has the region’s first heart center and only accredited chest pain center and certified stroke center with 24/7 neurohospitalist coverage, as well as Paducah’s only comprehensive cancer center and Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care unit. Baptist Health Paducah has a network of healthcare providers for patients in western Kentucky and southern Illinois — from Baptist Health Medical Group physician offices to Baptist Health Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine locations.
The hospital is also designated Pathway to Excellence® for excellence in nursing services by the American Nursing Credentialing Center. It opened in 1953 as Western Baptist Hospital and changed its name in early 2013, along with other facilities in Baptist Health, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Kentucky.