Seasonal Depression
For the mood that seems to arrive with shorter days.
As the Days Grow Shorter
When Low Mood Follows the Season
Some people notice their mood shifting in a fairly predictable way as the days grow shorter. Low energy, a flatter mood, and a pull toward sleeping more than usual can show up each year around the same months.
You can describe when this pattern tends to start for you and what it looks like once it arrives.
Energy and Sleep
Oversleeping Without Feeling Rested
Oversleeping is a common part of this pattern, along with a tiredness that does not lift even after a full night of rest. Mornings can feel especially hard, and getting started on ordinary tasks may take more effort than it does other times of year.
You do not need to wait until the pattern is severe before talking about it. Some people also notice it harder to keep plans with friends or family once the season turns.
Changes in Appetite
Cravings and Changes in Eating
Carb cravings and other changes in appetite often accompany the low mood and low energy of this pattern. You might notice reaching for different foods than usual or eating at different times of day.
These changes are worth mentioning in session alongside mood and energy, since they are often part of the same picture. Noticing when these cravings tend to appear can help you connect them to the rest of the pattern.
Therapy can also address routines that become harder during shorter days. You might discuss contact with friends, starting tasks, or keeping plans when energy is low. This is a conversation about daily life, not a prescription for food or medical treatment.
What to Watch For
Signs That Tend to Appear Together
These changes often arrive together as the season shifts, though not everyone notices all of them.
- Low mood that follows a seasonal pattern
- Low energy and a pull toward sleeping more
- Oversleeping without feeling rested afterward
- Carb cravings or other appetite changes
- Difficulty starting tasks that felt easier earlier in the year
Talking with a Doctor
Physical Symptoms Belong in a Medical Conversation
If you notice physical symptoms alongside the mood changes, such as significant weight changes or ongoing fatigue, raise those with your doctor. We can talk about mood and daily functioning here, but medical questions belong with a physician.
You can mention that conversation in session if it feels relevant to what you are working through. Bringing a doctor into the picture alongside therapy is a reasonable way to look at the whole pattern.
Our Clinical Care
Our Approach to Seasonal Low Mood
A therapist on our team is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, California License #120707. This clinician has 10+ years in practice. Depression is an area of focus. You can describe a seasonal pattern and ask about the approach.
She offers sessions in English and Spanish and can talk with you about what this time of year tends to bring up.
Meeting in Person or by Video
Brentwood Appointments or Video Across California
You can meet in person at 191 Sand Creek Road, Suite 230, Brentwood, CA 94513, or by video while you are located in California. Either format works for talking through a pattern that returns each year.
Session fees are shared during your free consultation.
A first appointment can review when these changes began, how often they return, and how they affect work or home life. Bring questions about coping with the months ahead.
Before the Season Shifts
A Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation
Call (925) 331-0457 or email info@heartnmindcounseling.com to ask about scheduling, especially if you want to start before the season fully sets in. Keep email to general questions and save a description of your symptoms for the conversation with your therapist.
Common Questions
Should I See a Doctor as Well as a Therapist?
If you notice physical symptoms alongside mood changes, mention them to your doctor. Therapy focuses on mood and daily functioning rather than medical care.
Does This Pattern Happen Every Year?
Many people notice this pattern returning around the same months each year. You can describe your own timing during a session.
Can I Start Before the Season Gets Difficult?
Yes. You can call or email to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation whenever you decide to reach out.
