Seasonal depression: How to beat the winter blues

Summer sadness, autumn blues, winter woes — whatever you call them, the changing seasons can have a profound impact on our emotions.

As temperatures drop and daylight hours decrease, many people feel a change in their attitude. According to mental health professionals, what many people experience during this time of year is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D.

"We usually see it here in Montana in the late fall and early winter — actually, the whole winter," said Kelsey Kojetin, a mental health therapist at Green Apple Counseling in Great Falls.

FROM THE ARCHIVES | Winter blues: Two in five Americans report mood decline during colder months

S.A.D. is a common seasonal ailment that can make people feel depressed, irritated, and less sociable. For some, it can potentially e