Mental health management during the holidays [Video]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The holidays are here and that means commercials full of smiling shoppers and social media feeds stacked with happy families in matching pajamas.

But sometimes on the opposite side of the screen, there’s a person who simply doesn’t have the energy to just jump into the holiday spirit.

During Fall and Winter, more people report feeling sad or unlike themselves. This abnormality is referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Rachel Holzhauer with Carolina Complete Psychiatry explains why.

“Our bodies don’t regulate the darkness very quickly. So, we definitely see that happen for people, and then the added stress of the holidays can even further amplify that” said Holzhauer.

And it may not only look like sadness or feeling low there are also changes to motivation level, or desire to want to interact with people.

“And then changes to even the way we take care of ourselves. People may find that they’re oversleeping or …