Mackinaw Bridge in the Cold of Winter

This is a view of the Mackinaw Bridge that is not seen by many. The fierce, cold winds of January make it unpleasant and treacherous even for picture taking.

Ok, I passed the memory test. I may be old, but I remember all this stuff. When I was 12, my friend Mark and I took the city bus from Seven Mile Road and Lahser, way out in Northwest Detroit to downtown Detroit, and past the Hudsons building. Then we took the tunnel bus to Windsor, bought some junk souviners, returned to Detroit on the tunnel bus, and finally returned home on the city bus. Great experience, we had no fear, just a great adventure.

Winter blues not uncommon in Northern Michigan Winters

GAYLORD — People in Northern Michigan are extremely susceptible to “winter blues,” also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and it can lead to serious problems if not recognized and dealt with appropriately.

“I see it all the time with the weather in Northern Michigan — it’s so gray and dark all the time,” said Jeff Katke, a licensed professional counselor with Old Town Psychological Services, 128 N. Court Ave. “It is not just winter blues or melancholy — it can lead to serious depression.”

Katke said some people may not even recognize the symptoms in themselves or others. He provided a list of some of the more common symptoms of SAD

• Irritability

• Tiredness or low energy

• Hypersensitivity to rejection

• Heavy feeling in the arms or legs

• Oversleeping

• Appetite changes — especially craving for foods high in carbohydrates

• Increased consumption of alcohol

• Weight gain

“All of those things just point out good self-care is what is needed, Katke said. “If you feel down for days at a time and can’t get motivated to do normal things, this is when you should see your doctor, especially if your sleep patterns and appetite changed or there are feelings of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts or excessive alcohol consumption.”

Katke said the specific cause of SAD is not known, and it can sometimes be difficult for a doctor or mental health provider to diagnose because other types of depression or mental health conditions can cause similar symptoms.

He said treatments for SAD may include light therapy, one of the first-line treatments, medications and psychotherapy.

“(Light therapy) generally starts working in a few days to two weeks and causes few side effects,” Katke said. “Research on light therapy is limited, but it appears to be effective for most people in relieving SAD symptoms.”

If you have bipolar disorder, you should notify your doctor, Katke said. He said is critical for the doctor to know when prescribing light therapy or an antidepressant. Both treatments can potentially trigger a manic episode.

Katke said some people may benefit from antidepressant treatment, especially if symptoms are severe.

“Keep in mind that it may take several weeks to notice full benefits from an antidepressant,” Katke said. “In addition, you may have to try different medications before you find one that works well for you and has the fewest side effects.”

Katke said psychotherapy (talk therapy) is another option. It can help identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors and teach healthy ways to cope with SAD and manage stress.

Katke had suggestions that could be used as an addition to professional treatment. They would also be beneficial for people who just have occasional and mild bouts of winter blues from too many gray days and bad weather in a row, but not to the extent it causes major problems in their life.

• Make your environment sunnier and brighter. Open blinds or add skylights. Sit close to bright windows at home or office.

• Get outside. Take a long walk or sit on a bench, even on cloudy or cold days. It helps, especially within two hours of rising.

• Exercise regularly. It helps relieve stress and anxiety and has other health benefits.

• Try mind-body therapies, such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, guided therapy and massage therapy.

• Get enough rest and time to relax. Make healthy choices for meals and snacks and don’t turn to alcohol or illegal drugs for relief.

• Learn techniques to manage your stress better.

• Socialize, even if you don’t feel like it. Connect with people who offer support, empathy or humor to get a boost.

• If possible, take a trip to a sunny, warm location.

• If you’re getting professional help, stick to your treatment plan and take medications as directed.

Katke’s specialties in his practice are treating anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD. He also provides treatment in anger management, behavioral issues, child or adolescent codependency, coping skills, divorce, domestic abuse, family conflict, grief, parenting, relationship issues and sexual abuse.

Katke suggests visiting www.mayoclinic.org or my.clevelandclinic.org for more details about seasonal affective disorder.

“Getting help is not shameful at all,” Katke said. “And counseling is a very useful and productive tool.”

Katke can be reached by calling (989) 930-4610 x1. Our fax is (989) 930-4682. Using e-mail, enter jwkatke@gmail.com.

• Facebook
• Twitter

A New Look for the Descerning Tomato

You may think that every tomato is the same. 

Most all tomatos try to conform to the Statndards and Expectations of the Tomato Standards Board. But this guy has a mind of his own and decided that he was going to be a non-conformist. 

How we measure up (or don't)

Anyone ever tell you that you don't "measure up!"

Many people struggling with their self-image believe they don’t. As children, we may have heard that we are not living up to our potential, that we can do better if we just try harder, or other similar statements that show our parents disappointment in us. Then we carry the idea that we are a disappointment to those around us into our adult life. Here is a another perspective...

Which yardstick would you choose for yourself?

We all have our own internal yardstick we use to measure our identity or how we view or value ourselves as a person.

Unfortunately, what happens is that we end up looking at, and many times using, another person's yardstick to measure ourselves. When we do this, many times we end up on the "short end of the stick".

What, then, is the problem with using another person’s yardstick to measure ourselves? Well, we can’t see what is on another person's yardstick, so we guess. Others will hold their yardstick away from us so can we only see or hear what they want us to see or hear. We cannot see the flaws, shortcomings, or failings that make them just like us. When we end up guessing, our guesses are usually "way off the mark!" Besides, we never know which person's yard stick to use. The result is a poor self-image and often a real identity crisis.

So, let’s agree to only use our own yardstick, and to measure our self against our own values, principals, morals, and beliefs. The fact is that our yardstick usually has many great things on it that we overlook.

Somebody Has an Attitude...

This crowd looks ready for a fight...

Go figure, a cow with an attitude!

Sometimes your just taking a nice walk in the field and you run into  a unruly gang. 

Back off, give them space, and hope they don't come after you.

Vibrant Fall Colors of Northern Michigan

Somewhere in the middle of Northern Michigan is this eyeful of color. This is just a tiny perspective of the brilliance that can be seen everywhere.