PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Seasonal depression is felt year round, but it can hit harder around the holidays.
Revive Therapeutic Services co-owner Abby Antwi said it is easy to isolate yourself as the days get colder and longer, but it is not healthy.
“You don’t see when somebody’s struggling,” said Antwi.
Abby Antwi and her sister Akos own and operate Revive Therapeutics.
It is an outpatient mental health clinic in Providence that provides mental health services to clients across Brown University Health.
Revive Therapeutic Services co-owner Abby Antwi said it is easy to isolate yourself as the days get colder and longer, but it is not healthy. (WJAR)
Antwi said they see plenty of clients come in with seasonal depression from the lack of sunlight.
“Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that happens usually fall and wintertime,” said Antwi. “It’s less sunlight during that time frame, lack of daylight affect chemicals in our brain naturally, which people don’t really realize.”
If the lack of sunlight was not enough, adding financial hardships following the government shutdown and societal issues, can exacerbate issues.
But experts said it’s okay to feel your feelings, just not for too long.
The American Psychological Association reports that there is a “crisis for connection.”
Its Stress in America Survey found and reported that half of U.S. adults reported feeling emotional disconnection, saying they have felt isolated from others, felt left out, or have lacked companionship often or some of the time.
Seasonal depression is felt year round, but it can hit harder around the holidays. (WJAR)
So Antwi recommends one prescription: community.
“Community is important. Community does not have to just be your family that you grew up with or your family that raised you,” said Antwi. “The community can be your next-door neighbor. You can even form your own community.”
But if that is not enough, and the lack of sun is causing you to lose your light, she recommends light therapy and moving your body.
“Exercise, eat nutritional meals, see a medical provider,” said Antwi. “We do encourage clients we work with to have the same structure but change your routine.”
If someone else is struggling, help them.
“So checking in on your loved ones, checking in on your friends. That’s something that we often forget because we’re living in a fast-paced world,” said Antwi.
People struggling with the disorder are encouraged to show up for themself and others, because no one should feel lonely.
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