Autumn Anxiety
You Are Not Alone
Autumn Anxiety, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is an increase in anxiety and depression for some people beginning at the end of fall leading through the winter months. Experts say some causes of this anxiety/depression may be due to beginning a new school year, the looming stress of the holiday season, or possible regret from not having achieved desired goals over the summer. Changes in diet, daily exercise, and increased exposure to daylight are all ways people can minimize the effects of autumn anxiety.
Recurring Anxiety Symptoms
Feeling nervous, restless or tense.
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom.
Having an increased heart rate.
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Sweating.
Trembling.
Feeling weak or tired.
Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry.
Autumn Anxiety Symptoms
Low mood and depression
Anxiety and excessive worry
Irritability
Lethargy, sleepiness, and fatigue
Loss of interest in everyday activities
A leading cause is the reduction in sunlight, leading to falling levels of serotonin.
Serotonin is an important hormone that affects mood, appetite, and sleep patterns.
Teen depression is on the rise, and whether it is everyday or due to the changing of the seasons, a parent’s best strategy to help a child is to promote the development of key skills.
Investigate. Talk to your teen to rule out any other medical or underlying health issues.
Remind your teen to express their feelings. Remind them to be patient and treat themselves with grace and kindness.
Help your teen create a list of their worries. Going through the list, sort each worry by what they can control and what they can not.
When feeling overwhelmed, remind your teen to connect to the present in a way they enjoy. By taking a walk, talking to a therapist, doing yoga, physical exercise or breathing exercises.