Dr. Lena Agree logo featuring her name and title as a licensed psychologist, emphasizing professional psychological services.Dr. Lena Agree, JD, PsyD – Licensed Psychologist and Associates

Managing Mood Changes: Dr. Lena Agree's Expert Strategies and Support

Cozy winter cabin in a serene snowy landscape, symbolizing warmth and comfort during winter blues, surrounded by snow-covered trees and soft sunlight.

Managing the Winter Blues: Practical, Evidence-Based Support for Seasonal Depression

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Shorter days and reduced sunlight trigger mood shifts for many people. For some, that looks like temporary “winter blues” — mild low mood and low energy that often improves with self-care. For others, symptoms meet criteria for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a recurrent, winter-linked form of depression that can be disabling. This guide helps you tell the difference, explains how reduced light and circadian changes affect mood, and lays out evidence-based steps that reliably ease symptoms. You’ll find practical self-assessment cues, lifestyle and light-therapy strategies, how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and coaching support high-achievers, and clear indicators for when to seek professional care. The page covers symptoms, causes, home-based remedies, therapy options, safe use of SAD light boxes, and decision…

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Couple sitting in bed, woman looking upset and withdrawn, man appearing concerned, reflecting emotional distress and communication challenges in relationships.

How to Tell if the Man in Your Life is Depressed (and if You Could Be Too)

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Do you suspect that a man in your life may be depressed? Unlike women, who are often sad or weepy when depressed, men typically exhibit anger, irritability or complain of “stress.” This is in addition to other depressive symptoms, including loss of interest or pleasure; either sluggishness or agitation; change in sleep, appetite or concentration; feelings of guilt or worthlessness and recurrent thoughts of death. Five or more of these symptoms for 2 consecutive weeks could signal a depressive disorder. However, depressive symptoms aren’t limited to the bouts of moodiness described above. Some people have a “depressive personality,” which can manifest early in life and just kind of “simmer.” There are 2 subtypes of this form of depression: Introjectively depressed people…

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