The leaves are already falling, mornings are cooler, and it is dark earlier. That can mean only one thing; Fall and winter are approaching.

Some people are energized by the fall and look forward to winter sports, hot chocolate, and warm evenings by a fire. Others dread the seasons of shorter days and harsh weather. Some may even say it is gloomy and intolerable; that it is downright depressing and puts them in a grumpy mood.

2020 (what a year!) brings with it much more than shorter days, moodiness, and bad weather. We are in the middle of a pandemic with the threat of an even heavier resurgence of COVID 19. As if Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is not enough, some of us will be dealing with the high anxiety of a worrisome flu year.

If SAD has already been a part of your life, this flu season and a pandemic may only make things feel worse. The isolation of inclement weather may be accentuated by not being outdoors or with neighbors, friends and family for long stretches of time. Indoor confinement and true social isolation bring about unexpected levels of depression, anger, and anxiety.

There is hope!

You know the season is coming. Preparation will be the key to a SAD strategy. Be proactive! Here are some ideas for a personal attack against SAD:

Journal: Stay connected to your feelings and start now! If you see yourself starting to fade into sadness, make social connections, exercise, or begin a routine of reading motivational books and quotes.

Spend some money: Not on just anything! Consider buying a SAD therapeutic light. Many find this makes a big difference for them.

Get outside: Bundle up and get out there. Maybe someone in your neighborhood could use a walk-buddy! Even putting on warm clothes and sitting outside on your deck could help.

LAUGH: Look for funny movies or YouTube videos that make you laugh. Laughter is a big healer!

Help someone: Make a point of helping someone else who is struggling. Get out of your own thoughts by reaching out. Helping others helps us.

Get help now: Start talking to a therapist who can help you get on top of SAD; before it even really starts. A therapist will be able to help you become more self-aware and support you during the tougher days.

Connect: Many churches are providing virtual meetings and services. It is a great way to learn and grow spiritually. Many church groups also provide shut-in support and support is almost always free to all.

Know the warning signs. Here are some ways you may be able to recognize SAD:

• More sleeping than usual at many times of the day.
• Overeating and eating foods that are not usual for you (e.g. sweets and carbs).
• Disinterest in hobbies.
• Lack of desire to do much of anything.
• Frustration over little things; or downright anger.
• Overall stretches of sadness that are hard to get through.

This pandemic has intensified many psychiatric disorders for many people. You are not alone if you are feeling less well emotionally.

You also have Lake Behavioral Hospital 24/7/365. By walk-in, appointment, or just give us call, your Lake Behavioral Screening and Referral team will help support you when you feel like SAD or any other mental health concern is just too much to bear. A level of care screening provided by our licensed professionals will determine what level of treatment is best to move you toward improved mental health. To learn more or to get the help you need right now call: 855-990-1900.

July 4^th, picnics, and outdoor gatherings are earmarks of summertime. This means being with people that we care about. Quarantining during COVID-19 among small family groups may mean that we haven’t seen our friends and other family members for some time. This is something we all need, to connect with others. Getting together during a pandemic, requires us to wear masks and to practice social distancing. How unnatural it seems not to hug our friends or family in greeting or not even be able to see a shared smile because of a mask. Socialization is important for our self-esteem. When we feel more supported, we are happier and mentally healthier. This summer may mean finding ways to be socially distant and safe, but stay connected.

 

Here are five tips to help you stay connected:

1. If you can’t have a picnic or party, send some picnic items to friends or family to put a smile on their face!
2. Decorate your front yard or doorstep for a drive by experience and give special treats to people who are special to you.
3. Although July 4^th– and summer- are not “card” holidays, send greeting cards to those you won’t see this year.
4. Make your small family gatherings fun with special games or conversation starters.
5. Get creative and host a virtual party with Zoom or another online platform.

 

Being creative during these uncertain times can help alleviate stress and anxiety. If at any time, these feelings overwhelm you or a loved one, Lake Behavioral can help.

We offer free screenings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 855-990-1900 or visiting us at 2615 Washington Street in Waukegan, IL.

Holidays are often filled with joy and love, but they can also be challenging. Mother’s Day can be a particularly complicated holiday. For many it a celebration of gratitude and appreciation, but it can also bring feelings of grief and sadness, especially for those who have lost a mother or a child.

During this time of physical distancing due to COVID-19, the grief of losing a mother or child can be compounded by feeling isolated from social supports and being unable to utilize coping strategies that involve being in public spaces.

Here are some tips on how to cope with grief on Mother’s Day:

• Share memories, or engage in an activity or tradition that honors the person you lost.
• Reach out to supportive people. Call, text, or schedule a video chat.
• Write about your feelings, or write a letter to the person you lost.
• Acknowledge and honor your feelings. Pain is personal and everyone has their own way of grieving.

Holidays can trigger symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Lake Behavioral Hospital offers a full continuum of care for the treatment of mental health conditions. With the expansion of our physical space, Lake Behavioral Hospital is now able to offer new modalities and treatment tracks to meet the needs of our community. These additional services will include an individualized trauma-focused treatment track for women.

If someone you know is grieving a loss, it is important to check on them, even if it’s just to say hello. With the increase in deaths due to COVID-19, people are experiencing loss collectively worldwide. It is helpful to know that we are not alone in our grief and anxiety.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing mental health challenges during this time, Lake Behavioral Hospital can help. Call us at 855-990-1900.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been emotionally devastating for adults, but the full impact on teenagers may be worse.

Today’s adolescents have their fair share of challenges—navigating social media, online bullying, social pressures to partake in drugs and alcohol. All of these are enhanced by the enforced social isolation and cancellation of in person school.

Teens have lost their social outlets and support systems outside of their immediate families. School sports, prom, and traditional graduation ceremonies have been cancelled. They may find coping with this sudden loss difficult, because they will never get to do those things. School may have also been a safe space for an adolescent or teen with an unstable home life.

Teenagers and young adults have developmental motivations that make them hard to isolate at home. The physical and chemical changes that take place during this time make young people highly attuned to social status and peer group.

Schools have rushed to implement online learning with varying degrees of success. Teens now find themselves with a lot of down time. Without hours and hours of daily structure, teens are left to fill virtually the entire day alone. Technology provides a temporary respite, but may not be a long-term solution.

Parents should set aside time to truly listen to their children’s frustrations. Showing empathy and validating their feelings will help teens cope. Parents should ask how they can support them through this time.

When these feelings and emotions disrupt your teen’s ability to complete schoolwork or assigned responsibilities at home, it may be time to seek additional help.

Lake Behavioral Hospital specializes in adolescent mental health treatment. No cost screenings are offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A licensed mental health professional will recommend the right treatment for your teen, whether it’s an inpatient stay or outpatient program.

Call today for more information: (855) 990-1900