One of the potential mental disorders in the winter is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is especially common in areas lacking sunlight during the cold season. Although SAD is common in adults, children can also suffer from this disorder.
Understanding seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Ms. Rachna Muralidhar, a psychologist at Mpower - The Centre (Bengaluru, India), explained that SAD is a mood disorder that occurs only in a certain season, usually in winter.
SAD symptoms are similar to depression but only appear for a certain period of time and disappear when the cold season ends. Children may experience these symptoms, including:
Mood disorder: Children can become irritable or cry easily, feel worthless and vulnerable to criticism. Children often feel sad all day.
Lack of excitement: Children are no longer interested in activities they used to enjoy, such as playing.
Unusual fatigue: Children feel tired even if they are not active much.
Difficulty concentrating: Children's scores may decrease and children have difficulty concentrating, which can be reflected in feedback from schools.
Sleep disturbances and cravings: Children may have difficulty waking up in the morning or overeating.
Stay away from people: Children may not want to interact with friends and have little interaction with family.
If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks and recur in the same season for two consecutive years, children may develop SAD and need to be diagnosed by an expert.
Impact of seasonal flu on mental health
Winter is also the season of flu, and flu can cause physical symptoms, which can affect your mood. However, if symptoms of sadness and lethargy persist even after recovering from the flu, it may be a sign of SAD.
Children may have difficulty expressing emotions, but through attention to their behavior and interaction, parents can identify unusual signs.
Steps to recover
Encourage outdoor activities: Make sure your child has enough time outdoors in warm clothes. Outdoor activities such as playing not only help children move but also improve their mood, helping them feel happier.
Reasonable diet and sleep: Provide your baby with a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and ensure adequate sleep.
indoor activities: If you can't go out, encourage your child to participate in indoor games, such as dancing or physical games, to help keep them energetic and optimistic.
Visit an expert: If symptoms continue, take the child to see a mental health professional for assessment and treatment. A combination of medication and psychotherapy is needed to help children overcome SAD and develop effective coping skills.
