This time of year tends to be tough for people living in many different parts of the country and this is usually due to the after holidays, we-spent-too-much-money, it’s January and cold and flu season blues. So how do you know when it’s more than that?
If your blah feeling lasts more than 2 weeks, you find yourself having a change in appetite and sleep patterns, your anxiety is up, you don’t feel like seeing people, you are rather sad or feeling numb all the time, have a hard time focusing and concentrating…then it is probably a good idea to talk to your doctor or a therapist. You could be suffering with an episode of Major Depression and this is a serious illness which needs to be treated and quickly.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, regardless of the time of year, that situation is considered an emergency and you need to call someone right now! Either call your doctor and explain to the person who answers the phone that you are in immediate need of medical attention or go to your local network hospital’s emergency room.
If, however, things don’t seem that serious, but you have noticed that every year you tend to feel “down” at this time of year…maybe it starts in the fall when there is less day light…you could be trying to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder. This also deserves some attention from your medical provider or a therapist.
We all have days that we feel “off”, that is normal. But to feel that way for more than 2 weeks is not normal. Please take care of yourself. Listen to loved ones if they talk about feeling this way. Help is available. Don’t wait.