Hello!

Wow! February is the longest shortest month of the year! Check out our tips for beating the winter blues!

I wish you all moments of peace, happiness and love.

Dr. Pam McCaskill

734-416-9098
McCaskill Family Services Newsletter
Term: Winter| Issue 26| February 28th, 2022
February Feelings
If we distributed a poll around the McCaskill office entitled, "Rank the months of the year from your favorite to least liked", February would fall near the bottom.

This time of the year presents unique challenges for our mental health. The lack of sunshine, social connection, vacation time, monotony of daily life, and ongoing stress all seem to pile up, leaving us feeling a little down. Although we can't prevent this from happening (e.g., we can't control the sun), it's helpful to know that these feelings are relatively normal for this time of year, and that most people feel a dip in their energy levels and mood from December through February, especially those living in northern areas. We experience these feelings due to the change in seasons, which causes disruptions to our natural circadian rhythms and the neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for feeling good.

Thankfully, there are some ways to help improve your mood during this time of year, and one of our newest McCaskill Family members, Bismah Khan, TLLP, shares her ideas with us below!
At McCaskill Family Services, we specialize in working with children and adults who are struggling with all kinds of presenting mental health issues. If your family or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us. Our clinicians are trained and experienced in empirically-based techniques, and would be happy to promptly schedule an appointment in person or via tele-health. We can be reached by phone at 734-416-9098 or by email at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.
Depression vs. Seasonal Affective Disorder
There are many commonalities between Major Depressive Disorder and Seasonal Affective Disorder. It can be challenging to decipher between the two, especially if this is your first time experiencing such symptoms.
Here are some ways to tell the difference:
  1. Occurs predominately in the winter and fall (dark months).
  2. You see an increase in your mood and energy levels on warmer, sunnier days.
  3. Symptoms generally resolve on their own or with little intervention by spring.
  4. Weight gain/increase in carbohydrate cravings (e.g., comfort food).
  5. Increased need for sleep.
  6. Feelings of boredom and restlessness due to being indoors.
  7. Ability to experience joy when able to participate in enjoyable activities.
  8. Negative thought patterns about yourself and others.
  1. Can occur all year round.
  2. Energy levels/mood fail to adjust despite improvements in weather or circumstance.
  3. Symptoms require ongoing support and intervention.
  4. Significant increase OR decrease in weight.
  5. Needing more sleep OR struggling to sleep (hypersomnia/hypersomnia).
  6. Observable psychomotor agitation or retardation.
  7. Lack of pleasure or interest in previously enjoyed activities/experiences.
  8. Feelings of intense worthlessness, guilt and hopelessness.
Regardless of how severe, mild, new, or old your symptoms are, getting connected with a mental health professional can be extremely helpful. They can help provide you with an accurate diagnosis, and help you in developing a plan for supporting your mood.
Get to Know Our Staff
Clinician Spotlight
You may have seen a new face around the office!

Bismah earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Wayne State University. Prior to joining our McCaskill Family, Bismah worked at Children’s Hospital of Michigan where she provided individual and group therapy to children and adolescents. She specializes in treating those struggling with interpersonal conflicts, conduct and behavior disorders, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.

Bismah is a culturally sensitive therapist who uses each clients unique background to inform her therapeutic approach. She incorporates numerous evidence-based treatments in this approach, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness-based interventions. Additionally, she has a special interest and expertise in working with people of color and other minorities.

When she is out of the office, Bismah enjoys traveling, painting, hiking, and spending time with her husband and cat.

Bismah currently sees patients via in person and telehealth at both our Brighton and Plymouth locations!
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
February 21st-27th was just acknowledged as National Eating Disorder Awareness Month by the U.S. government.
Newsletter Editor's Notes
I am not a fan of February...

It's the shortest month of the year, but somehow, someway.. feels the longest. All the fun holidays are over, we have little sunlight, and we trick ourselves into thinking spring is right around the corner (when we know we have at least until end of April before things start looking up). In an attempt to not be miserable for a full 28 days, I am constantly working on challenging my own perception this time of the year.

In one of my heart wrenching favorites, "To Kill A Mockingbird," Harper Lee writes the following: "People generally see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear."
Translation: what we CHOOSE to pay attention to makes all the difference in our day-to-day. If I choose to pay attention to my lethargy, I will likely end up back in bed. If I choose to tune into heartbreak, I could let it consume me. If I choose to focus on the cold, I will shiver and find myself making plans to move to Florida. Isn't it funny how the cold isn't so cold when we are walking arm and arm outside with someone we love? How little we notice that it's 10 degrees outside when we are having fun on the slopes? Or when our hearts don't feel as heavy when we laugh with a friend?

My challenge to you this month is to change your focus. Focus on the brightness that snow brings into your office window, or how it makes the mornings feel calm and quiet. Focus on how lovely a warm cup of coffee feels in your hand on winter days. If you are managing grief, loss, or depression, focus your attention to the future, knowing there is hope in the days ahead. Change your thoughts, and you change your world.

Warmly, -Jaclyn
I hope your 2022 has been off to a wonderful start!
I'm Jaclyn, a masters level clinician at McCaskill Family Services who specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, self-harm, and eating disorders for all ages. I co-run the McCaskill Family Services DBT groups for teens and adults, and specialize in psychological assessment. I am also our monthly newsletter editor and social media manager!

I'd like to personally thank you for staying in touch with our practice, and hope you find this newsletter inspirational and informative. If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with me, please contact our office at 734-416-9098 or email us at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com. I look forward to working with you!