MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Many families are looking forward to crowding around the Thanksgiving table this holiday season, but for some people, the loss of a loved one triggers seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
One Memphis mother sat down with ABC24 to tell what it means to push through profound loss.
LaVonda Henderson said her oldest child, Larry Thorn was tragically taken from her in January 2023. Thorn was found dead from a gunshot wound behind a church in South Memphis.
According to Henderson, this will be the second year she won't be able to celebrate her son's favorite holiday. She said for the first time since Thorn's death, she'll be placing his picture at the dinner table as a tribute.
"It will be just like we'll have him there with us," Henderson said.
On Monday, Henderson came face to face with the individual charged with second degree murder and abuse of a corpse in her son's case. She said seeing this individual as Thanksgiving approaches has led her to wrestle with a flood of emotions, knowing she'll never see her son again.
"At least he can call [his mother] — or she can video or however they do from jail — and [they can] chat and say 'Happy Thanksgiving,' but I'll never get that again," Henderson said.
Tamatha Borkcom, a therapist from Kindred Place, provided ABC24 with advice for anyone battling seasonal affective disorder.
Some of her top recommendations are get moving with exercise, do not shut yourself away in isolation, and hunt down little moments that can actually make you smile.
"Doing that personal work again, knowing yourself, and the things you really enjoy — a good comedy, a good musical, things that bring you joy — can lift you out of those moments," Borkcom said.
According to Borkcom, those recommendations are not random suggestions. She said the advice she offers clients are crucial first steps on the path to healing.
"The main reason to understand yourself and your symptoms is because nobody else controls your behavior," Borkcom said. "You are the person who controls your behavior, and you are the person who can best implement the strategies that are going to work for you."
According to the American Psychiatric Association, five percent of adults in the country are dealing with seasonal affective disorder. In some cases, nearly 50 percent of adults carry out this disorder almost half of the year.
Borkcom said the real message is that everyone deserves to be mentally well. She said it's not impossible, but it does take effort, patience, and being intentional about your mental health.