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What is seasonal affective disorder?
Many people go through short periods when they feel sad or unlike their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. Many people feel “down” or have the “winter blues” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter and feel better in the spring when longer daylight hours return.
Sometimes, these mood changes are more serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior when the seasons change, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer, known as winter-pattern SAD or winter depression. Other people experience depressive symptoms during the spring and summer months, known as summer-pattern SAD or summer depression. Summer-pattern SAD is less common.
What are the signs and symptoms of SAD? (Click Here)
African American and Family
Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) are diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders that substantially interferes with a person’s life and ability to function. Learn more about SMI and SED.
Serious mental illness (SMI)
SMI is defined by someone over 18 having (within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that substantially interferes with a person’s life and ability to function. SMIs include conditions like bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia.
Watch people living with SMI share their stories.
Serious emotional disturbance (SED)
SED is defined by someone under the age of 18 having (within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that resulted in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits the child’s role or functioning in family, school, or community activities. (https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/serious-mental-illness/about).
There are many kinds of serious mental illnesses. Common ones include
- Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. People have manic episodes in which they feel extremely happy or euphoric, and energized. Usually , they also have depressive episodes in which they feel deeply sad and have low energy.
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders. Symptoms vary from person to person, but may include sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, pessimism, irritability, worthlessness, and fatigue. These symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy their life.
- Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that causes people to interpret reality abnormally. People may experience hallucinations, delusions, extremely disordered thinking and a reduced ability to function in their daily life.
Despite common misperceptions, having an SMI is not a choice, a weakness, or a character flaw. It is not something that just “passes” or can be “snapped out of” with willpower. The specific causes are unknown, but various factors can increase someone’s risk for mental illness including, family history, brain chemistry, and significant life events such as experiencing a trauma or death of a loved one. (https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/serious-mental-illness/managing-life)
Hope Is Always An Option..Never Give Up!
Mental Health Help/Information
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
Family Violence
Domestic violence does not discriminate. Anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender can be a victim – or perpetrator – of domestic violence.
Applying for Benefits
Benefits.gov is an online resource to help you find federal benefits you may be eligible for in the United States.
Mental Health Help/Resources
Mental health Resources
African Americans
African Americans and Mental Health
Military/Veterans
Military Veterans
Faith
Faith/Religion Is Good For Your Health
Reaching Nations
Other Nations and Mental Health
Substance
Substance/Mental Health
Veterans..Thank You For Your Service
Health and Mental Health
Understanding the Link Between Chronic Disease and Depression
What is a chronic disease?
A chronic disease is a condition that lasts at least one year and requires ongoing medical attention or limits activities of daily living or both. Examples of chronic diseases include autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, and pain.
Can chronic disease lead to depression?
People who have a chronic disease are at a higher risk of developing depression. Depression can be triggered by:
- Anxiety, stress, or other challenges caused by a chronic disease
- Brain changes from a chronic disease (such as Parkinson’s disease or stroke)
- Medication used to treat a chronic disease
- A personal or family history of depression or suicide
Research suggests that people who have a chronic disease and depression tend to have more severe symptoms of both illnesses.
Can depression lead to chronic disease? (Click here for more information)
Stories of Survival
Mental Illness Can Impact Us All
Mental Illness In The News
Mental Health - And Culture
Mental Health and Youth
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