The Weather and Your Mood

Based on the recent long stretches of rainy, cloudy, cool spring weather you may wonder about the effect this environment might have on your mood. Looking out the window on a rainy day can feel almost underwhelming where you just want to crawl back into bed and stay there. If you are already susceptible to feeling sad and lonely, the dreary weather certainly doesn't help.  

Formerly referred to as "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (appropriately, SAD); the actual clinical terminology in the DSM-5 is now "Recurrent Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern" that occurs at a specific time of the year that otherwise is not present. The DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing depression with a seasonal pattern includes having these experiences for at least the last two years:

• Depression that begins during a specific season every year
• Depression that ends during a specific season every year
• No episodes of depression during the season in which you experience a normal mood
• Many more seasons of depression than seasons without depression over the lifetime of your illness

While it may not feel good to experience a seasonal pattern of depression, the positive to having a seasonal mood shift is that you are likely able to plan ahead for it. For example, before winter begins may be an opportunity to look ahead to what you might need to feel well later. This may include getting more supportive therapy during this time, stepping up an exercise routine to get that extra boost of serotonin (the chemical that stabilizes and boosts your mood); using a light box: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/light-therapy/home; signing up for a new activity; exploring with a Psychiatrist if a mood stabilizing medication would be appropriate and helpful to bridge you to the next season so you can feel better. 

On a day to day basis if you notice a drop in your mood and energy perhaps related to the weather, consider some of the following tips to keep your mood up:

* Listening to fun, feel good music

* Get out of the house and do something different such as visiting a museum or getting together with a friend

* Watching a funny movie

* Meditation or yoga

* Go play with puppies, or kittens, or babies (whatever makes you smile)

Next time you see the rain drops falling outside your window, stop and think how you may be able to buffer your mood from dropping as well. If you are concerned about your mood regardless of the weather and want to see if meeting with a therapist could benefit you, contact us at Gaithersburg Counseling Center at admin@healingllc.com or 240-274-5680, or you can visit our website at www.healingllc.com.