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February 2006
Beat the Winter BluesIf you feel down in the winter months, here’s helpIf you have diabetes, you’re at greater risk of suffering from depression than people without the disease. In the winter, you may feel extra blue. No one’s sure why: It could be the ongoing stress of keeping up with the disease, feeling alone with your illness or frustrated with the ups and downs of blood-sugar control. Those feelings may intensify during these long, dark days of winter.
Your doctor may suggest some or all of the following treatments: Counseling. “For people with a few symptoms, counseling can work as well as medication,” Wiley says. Antidepressants. "The same types of antidepressant medications used for non-seasonal depression work well for SAD, too," Wiley says. Light therapy. Exposure to light during the winter can help reset your internal clock. So in addition to counseling and medication, Wiley recommends a special light box to some of her patients with SAD, which produces much brighter light than regular indoor lighting. “Use it for 30 to 45 minutes every morning when you first awake,” she says. You’ll find a variety of light boxes for sale online, from floor models to smaller travel sizes. Prices range from $200 to $500 per light. Exercise. “Physical activity is a wonderful prescription when you find yourself in a cold-weather funk,” Wiley says. “Do whatever you enjoy to get yourself moving and off the couch.” Want to Know More?Click here for tips about the various types of meditation or visit or call 610-402-CARE to learn more about mindfulness-based stress reduction classes< This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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