“Let the daylight in”: Seasonal affective disorder
by Roamers Therapy | October 2021
As the earth takes its natural journey in the solar system, the consequences of its course are felt all around. With the recent autumn equinox following winter, we will continue to see changes in daylight and weather. The weather itself might reduce our outdoor time, which we might notice right away as we begin avoiding taking walks outside in the cold. The daylight may shift or even influence our mental state and alter our perception of the day. Additionally, the start of fall might also indicate the start of a new quarter or semester at school, a particularly busy time at work, or higher commute times due to traffic. That said, changes will come and we can reflect on a couple of things, specifically our mental well being.
In the last week or so, many of my clients have noticed changes in their mental state, primarily with their mood on cloudy days. They notice a decrease in energy or even have noticed some changes in motivation to get things done like work tasks, gym routines, or even go out with friends. These experiences align with Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD; in fact, these behaviors and experiences might become much more prevalent as winter approaches.
While it’s interesting to reflect on the earth’s natural changes, we must also acknowledge the toll it might take on our mental health. We must not minimize the seriousness of individuals’ experiences with season changes and their experiences with SAD. If you noticed these changes and are actively participating in therapy, share your experiences with your therapist to start working on a treatment plan. If you don’t have a therapist, I will encourage you to begin a therapeutic relationship with one to manage this real experience.
At Roamers Therapy, our psychotherapists are here to support you through anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues, race-ethnicity issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ADHD, Autism, or any challenges you encounter. Our psychotherapists are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Gottman Therapy.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific issue or need help navigating difficult emotions, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a session with our mental health professionals to begin your healing journey. To get started with therapy, you can fill out our inquiry form. You may use this form whether you plan to use insurance benefits, self-pay, or out-of-network benefits, and to receive details about your out-of-pocket costs and our therapists’ availability. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive intake documents to complete before your first session.
This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health-related definitions that are written by our therapists.
While our offices are currently located at the South Loop neighborhood of Downtown Chicago and Lakeview on Chicago’s North Side, Illinois, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more. You can visit our contact page to access detailed information on our office location.