Not All Pumpkin Spice: What Fall Weather Can Mean for Your Mental Health

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With spooky season nearing, we're seeing a lot of pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider, jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, and more.

But for many people, fall weather and its reduced sunlight can fuel sadness, loss of motivation, carbohydrate cravings, and sluggishness. These symptoms can be seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression connected with seasonal changes.

Many people might not realize they have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, but experts estimate millions of people experience it. according to the National Institute of Mental Health. They don't know exactly what causes SAD, but they believe it's related to sunlight and vitamin D deficiency.

"Research suggests that sunlight affects levels of molecules that help maintain normal serotonin levels," according to the National Institute of Mental Health article. "Shorter daylight hours may prevent these molecules from functioning properly, contributing to decreased serotonin levels in the winter."

Often, SAD symptoms surface in late fall and gradually build until they dissolve in spring, when the days are sunnier again, the Mayo Clinic reports. People with bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, ADHD, or other mental disorders are more likely to experience SAD.

If SAD symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks or interfere with your daily life, you should talk with a professional, like those at Aurora Mental Health & Wellness. They pride themselves on offering a comfortable, spa-like atmosphere.

Aurora offers traditional oral medication management, as well as ketamine infusions and Spravato (a nasal spray form of ketamine) for those with treatment-resistant conditions.

Research shows that 70 percent of ketamine patients see significant improvement in symptoms of treatment-resistant depression after the initial six loading doses, compared with the 40 percent success rate for traditional anti-depressants, and Aurora is the first in the area to offer ketamine options.

To learn more, visit the Aurora Mental Health & Wellness website or call 320.250.9188 to schedule a consultation.