Mom to Mom – Seasonal Depression

Sarah Pannell:                   Today we’re talking about something that affects so many, seasonal depression.

Sarah Pannell:                   Joining us today is nurse practitioner, Sarah Fugate. Thank you so much for joining us.

Sarah Fugate:                    Thank you for having me.

Sarah Pannell:                   So today we’re talking about seasonal depression. And that affects so many people here in the United States.

Sarah Fugate:                    It does, it does. More than you know, actually.

Sarah Fugate:                    Seasonal depression is a type of major depressive disorder that’s recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. And it occurs with a seasonal pattern, meaning that you have depressive symptoms in the fall and the winter and it remits in the spring and summer. It usually occurs in women in their twenties. In the early child bearing ages.

Sarah Pannell:                   Really?

Sarah Fugate:                    Yes.

Sarah Pannell:                   So what are some things that people should look out for?

Sarah Fugate:                    Some symptoms of depression, especially this time of year, is overeating, weight gain, craving carbohydrates. You can become very tearful, depressed, and you want to sleep all the time. Decreased energy and irritability. Worse symptoms would be suicidal thoughts. At that point you need to go to the ER and get some help.

Sarah Pannell:                   Right.

Sarah Pannell:                   So if someone’s feeling this way, what are some treatments?

Sarah Fugate:                    They can come in and we can put them on a medication. They need to exercise 30 minutes, five days a week. They need to be going out socially, trying to stay involved in things, and possibly therapy.

Sarah Pannell:                   For joining today.

Sarah Fugate:                    Oh thank you for having us.

Sarah Pannell:                   This is a very important topic that needs to be addressed.

Sarah Fugate:                    It is, it is. Thank you.

Sarah Pannell:                   Alright, moms. I’ll see you all next week on Mom to Mom.