Do you suffer from SAD? Online therapy might be a solution. Seasonal Affective Disorder, known as SAD, is a type of depression that is seasonally dependent. It is most common around late fall and winter and is generally caused by lack of light and colder temperatures keeping us indoors.
Symptoms of SAD include feeling depressed most of the day, losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, low energy, problems with sleep, changes in appetite or weight, feeling sluggish or agitated, difficulty concentrating, feeling hopeless, or having thoughts of death or suicide. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline anytime at 1-800-273-TALK.
Coping with SAD
There are a variety of different coping tools for SAD suffers, most common is artificial light therapy, but there are also several benefits to online counseling and therapy. At Move Forward we are available to help clients from around the state of Pennsylvania as they struggle with symptoms of SAD. Our counselors and therapists are trained in treating a variety of depressive conditions and can offer helpful tools from wherever you choose to call in.
Here are some other ways online depression treatment can help you cope with SAD symptoms:
1.) You don’t have to leave the house
The beauty of online therapy is it can be done from the comfort of your own home. That is also great for SAD sufferers who are already struggling with getting motivated to leave the house. Online therapy provides a healthy option for learning valuable coping tools without the stress of entering the world.
2.) Online therapy gives SAD sufferers someone to talk to
A big complaint of SAD sufferers is that no one gets it. Others might tell them to “get over it” or “snap out of it,” but SAD sufferers know it is not that simple. Online talk therapy gives you someone to talk to who not only understands why you feel the way you do but can also offer some mood-boosting suggestions.
3.) You can alter your thought processes with CBT
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a common form of talk therapy that has been proven effective with SAD. It involves identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive thoughts and using behavioral activation. For example, you might hate the winter because it is dark and dreary and you can’t get outside. Using behavioral activation you can identify activities that you can do during the winter that you enjoy. You could focus on skiing, sledding with your kids, knitting by the fire, reading books, house projects, puzzles, etc. Whatever it is that excites you and makes you happy. It could be an indoor or outdoor activity, it just has to be one you can do during the winter. CBT will help you to replace those negative thought patterns with positive ones related to those uplifting activities.
4.) Online therapy is more accessible for SAD sufferers
If you live in a rural area or one that doesn’t have a strong therapy presence, online therapy makes mental health resources more accessible. You can choose to go to any mental health professional that is licensed in the state you live in to receive online therapy services. You could be meeting a therapist two hours from where you live. Online therapy brings the tools and resources to feel your best directly to you. All you have to do is log on and start getting the help you need.
5.) Online therapy is a time saver
We all make the excuse of not having the time to get the help we need. Online therapy is a huge time saver. You don’t have to travel and it can be done anywhere that is quiet around your home or office, or even in a parked car.
If you are struggling with symptoms of SAD, don’t try to wait it out. Meeting with a counselor or therapist online can help you to make positive changes so you can feel better.
Ready to begin counseling in Pennsylvania?
At Move Forward, our professionally-trained and licensed counselors have openings. Just call our office at 717-462-7003×1 and speak to our administrative assistant to get started. You can get the tailored help you need right now. We are here.
