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(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) As winter drags on, many Pennsylvanians struggle with what they may shrug off as the “winter blues,” but Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression caused by shorter days and less sunlight, and there are ways to manage it. An American Psychiatric Association study found nearly four in ten Americans feel “down” during the winter months. Psychiatric Nurse-Practitioner Heather Young, with UPMC Divine Hospital in Williamsport, says mood fluctuations are common in winter, but when depression lingers at least two weeks and seems more serious, it may be time to seek help. Young notes SAD typically first appears in young adults, between ages 20 and 30. She recommends increasing exposure to sunlight or asking a doctor about indoor light therapy and if you feel you’re in crisis, to call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.