Looking for Spring in the Darkness of Winter
Coming out of a cool and dark February, March seems to be a transitionary month between winter and spring. Still gloomy outside, it can be hard to notice the perennials are starting to emerge from the soil and will soon bloom into a colorful spring bouquet. The dogwoods and redbuds will soon bloom too. During gloomy seasons, looking ahead to the lighter and more bright periods can be difficult to muster.
Historically, we see an uptick in clients reporting depression and anxiety symptoms in both the spring and the fall months. Depressive Episodes, in particular, are something that Therapists notice increasing in February and March. We have team members available to meet with clients of all ages who are experiencing symptoms of depression, which may include changes in sleep and appetite, increased sadness, melancholy and nervousness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, difficulty focusing, hopelessness, withdrawing, irritability, thoughts of self harm or suicide. Not all of these symptoms are required to be present to meet criteria for a Depression diagnosis, but they do need to present for at least two weeks.
If you are concerned about yourself or another person who you believe may be experiencing depression, our team can see you for an intake at either our Lyndon Campus or our Prospect Campus. Additionally, if Depression has been so severe that self harm or suicidal ideation is present, the specialties of Attachment Based Family Therapy or Suicidal Crisis Counseling can be helpful in establishing safety and helping clients manage severe depressive symptoms.
A way to ground yourself today to remind yourself of the emerging spring is to put on your rain boots, grab your jacket and umbrella and go outside. Pay attention to the changing world around you. What colors do you see emerging from the darkness? How do you see yourself emerging this spring?
