Mental Health Tips for the Winter Blues
Glendive News
The following are mental health tips to navigate the holidays and winter months from providers, Dr. Paulette Lassiter, Psychiatrist and Christopher Henderson, PMHNP at Glendive Medical Center. They care and are here to help you. Call 406-345-8901 for a caring, confidential appointment. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call 9-1-1 or visit our Emergency Department, open 24/7.
As we move through the winter season, do you notice the "winter blues" setting in? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a serious but treatable medical condition affecting up to 15% of all patients treated for depression. If SAD symptoms (such as sadness, loss of energy or motivation, sleeping problems, appetite changes, or excessive anxiety and irritability) are affecting your ability to enjoy life, effective treatments are available.
Know your limits and set boundaries! Do not allow others to make too many demands on your time. Learning to say “no” can save you a great deal of stress and anxiety. When someone makes a demand or a request, before saying “yes” take a little time to think about the impact of the commitment on your life.
Before you begin your holiday shopping, set yourself a seasonal budget and stick to it! You will be less stressed in the new year, when many of us tend to struggle paying off our credit cards or catching up other bills due to overspending over the holidays.
The holidays are a time for family feasts. Meals are often accompanied by the temptation to overeat or over-indulge our taste for alcohol. Enjoy yourself, but be careful. Moderation in all things. If you find yourself battling food, drink, or symptoms of depression or anxiety, come have a chat with your Behavioral Health experts.
Although friends and family often mean well, in our experience they can be dubious sources of mental health information and may give advice that is not helpful or even potentially harmful. If your mental health is stretched or stressed, the very best source for diagnosis, treatment and advice is always a specialist provider. A confidential, expert evaluation and thorough explanation of your treatment options is available to you right here in Glendive!
I’m not crazy...I don’t need help. It will pass, it always has. I look forward, not back...I can do it on my own. I don’t need their help...It’s going to cost me too much...Ugh, I can’t even think about that stuff right now...I don’t have the time...It’s no big deal, I can manage...I don’t want other people to know my business.
Do these statements sound familiar? We all make excuses for avoiding seeking help when needed. However, what might life be like if you had a Behavioral Health Team on your side? Evaluations are confidential and take place in a relaxed environment. Call 406-345-8901 today. We can help.
