Child Mind Institute Shares Resources on Seasonal Depression in Children
Seasonal affective disorder, which is also known by the acronym SAD, often appears in the winter and fades during the spring.
The Child Mind Institute has put together some resources on how to tell if a child is feeling down due to the season or if they are dealing with something more serious.
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Experts aren’t exactly sure what causes SAD, but some believe that a lack of sunlight affects chemicals in the brain that impact mood and energy levels. However, a lot of people experience symptoms that look like depression during the winter.
SAD and other types of depression can be challenging to identify depending on how or when they appear. The institute provides resources on premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a type of depression tied to the menstrual cycle that is a severe form of the more common PMS.
There are articles on treatments for depression, including different types of therapy and medication, and a video in which experts explain how to recognize signs of mental health challenges in teens.
There is also a resource on behavioral activation, a therapy commonly used to treat SAD. The therapy involves getting children to do things - such as take a walk or talk to a friend - even if they don’t feel like it.
Below are the Child Mind Institute’s resources on seasonal affective disorder.