Winter Scaries: Navigating Seasonal Depression in South Dakota
Picture this: it’s 7 am, -10 degrees outside, the sky is gray, your toes are cold, AND your windshield is covered in frost. How do you feel? Annoyed? Sad? Hopeless? How do you think this might set the tone for the rest of your day/week/month? These cold weather feelings are what I like to refer to as “Midwest Winter Scaries” and they are something I think a lot of my Midwest friends can attest to.
I wanted to drop some truth bombs about these “Midwest Winter Scaries” to let you know that you are NOT alone and your feelings are valid! Let’s get into it.
What are the Winter Scaries?
By “Winter Scaries”, we are referring to the psychological diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Depression Disorder, aka “SADD” (literally the perfect name, I know).
This is a type of major depression that happens during the wintertime months. After the holidays, as temps begin to drop and the days are short, it feels like there is little to nothing to look forward to. This can cause us to begin to feel kind of sad or depressed. An article by the National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH, defines seasonal affective depression disorder as a depression that comes and goes with the seasons, with symptoms typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer.
Sound like you? You’re not alone. The NIMH also says that in 2021, an estimated 14.5 million U.S. adults aged 18 or older had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year AND the prevalence of adults with a major depressive episode was highest among individuals aged 18-25 (18.6%).
Do I need help from a professional though?
We’ve all had these thoughts circle in our heads “yeah, this sounds like me…but, do I actually need help with this? Doesn’t everybody go through this?” Well, the short answer is: maybe. Let’s talk about some of the criteria for a depressive diagnosis.
One of the main symptoms is having a period of at least two weeks where you feel a depressed mood, loss of interest, or pleasure in daily activities. In addition, you might feel you are having problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, or self-worth.
Now, re-read those symptoms again and think about how they make you feel from a “human perspective” and ask yourself these three questions:
As a human, do I struggle with these things?
Do I NEED to struggle with these things?
If I admit to experiencing these things, what does this mean about me?
If you are feeling like you do struggle with these things, but you don’t want to anymore, then great! You’re in the right place!
But what if you are scared to admit that you are experiencing these things?
What if admitting these things mean that you‘re messed up?
Well, guess what? You’re NOT messed up, you amazing human!
If you are feeling these depressive feelings know that you are just humaning and you are having a human experience!
Depression is one of those lived experiences, unfortunately. It’s actually so common. Dare I use my least favorite word of all time? NORMAL!!! (Normal is atrocious and there’s just no such thing). A depressed mood is part of the normal range of human emotions experienced by all.
If your personal “normal” is off, read on.
You can get through this.
I’m here for you, friend.
Let’s process and work through this. I went to school for eleventy-seven years in order to be able to help you through these things.
Our therapists can tangibly help you through.
You’re not alone.
Let us help.
Life is messy. Your thoughts don’t have to be.
Love Paula Lain + Ollie
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Major depression. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression#:~:text=disorders%2C%20or%20medication.-,Prevalence%20of%20Major%20Depressive%20Episode%20Among%20Adults,8.3%25%20of%20all%20U.S.%20adults.
