By Layla Zickefoose
We are in the middle of winter here in the Midwest and the days are gloomy. Lack of motivation, deep sadness, and feelings of “being numb” intensifies for more people this time of year.
Reasons for these feelings vary, but Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is always suspect in the winter. Put simply, SAD is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year for some people, usually in fall and winter when daylight hours are shorter. Because it affects so many people, let me briefly share how we think about this struggle with counselees here at Maranatha Family Counseling.
Especially when talking about mental health symptoms caused or exacerbated by biological factors like SAD, we take a whole person approach. This approach helps us acknowledge that what occurs in our bodies physically can significantly affect how we feel emotionally. Other examples of biological struggles that affect mood include postpartum depression and diabetes. We consider SAD to trigger a biological response because it is linked to changes in sunlight exposure, which can affect the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) and lead to changes in mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin and melatonin.
Helping people struggling with conditions like SAD to understand their suffering is tied to body, mind, and soul can help move them towards a greater dependence on Jesus Christ. It invites them to acknowledge that our earthly bodies and minds fail, and sometimes we cannot control that. We live in a broken world and are often weak. Yet there is a spiritual reality that is always true for every person. God still promises to be glorified in our weakness and assures us He is always at work in our lives. We remind counselees that they can experience stubborn depression but are called to rest in God’s goodness at the same time.
There are a lot of great resources available that are grounded in God’s word on SAD and depression in general. We will be sharing some of our favorites on our social media platforms throughout February. If you’re interested in those resources, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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