Mental health counselor shares tips for managing seasonal affective disorder

Storyblocks By Matthew Freeman Today at 5:21 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — Sanford Health mental health counselor Kayla Savageau says North Dakota ranks seventh in the nation for seasonal affective disorder, often referred to as SAD. Savageau says less hours of daylight can throw off sleep and possibly affect moods. ADVERTISEMENT She says friends and family may pick up on changes before people bring them up. She said people may turn down plans more often or seem quieter when together. They may also sleep longer than usual and still wake up tired. She says if your mood tends to drop around the same time each year, tell your doctor when you first notice the change. "So they could work with you, really identify those behaviors and maybe those thoughts that support that depression and create a management plan ... the actions we're gonna take instead," said Savageau, a Sanford integrated health therapist. Savageau says a doctor can also help patients decide whether light therapy or medication might be an option. READ MORE FROM matthew freeman American Cancer Society updates prostate cancer screening guidelines 24m ago Proposed SNAP changes could increase demand at Great Plains Food Bank 19h ago Festival of Trees returns to the Fargodome 1d ago Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH SANFORD HEALTH By Matthew Freeman Matthew Freeman has been a reporter for WDAY since 2026. He is a graduate of Dan Patrick's School for Sports Broadcasting at Full Sail University. He is from Panama City Beach, FL. Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Health Mayo Clinic selects Dr. Matthew Callstrom as new president and CEO 4h ago · By Dené K. Dryden Health Doctors urge getting flu shots before Thanksgiving travel 23h ago · By Ryan McNamara Minnesota A wave of hospital mergers is changing healthcare in Minnesota. Why now? 1d ago · By Maddie Robinson / MinnPost ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Prep Day 1: 2026 NDHSAA State Girls Swimming and Diving Championships on WDAY+ 7h ago · By WDAY News Fargo Embattled recovery and reentry nonprofit F5 Project looks ahead after turbulent year 4h ago · By Tasha Carvell Local Teen bicyclist airlifted after being struck by pickup in Osage Township 7h ago · By Staff reports Fargo Fargo man arrested for DUI after car crashes onto gas pump 1h ago · By Hunter Schwartz