New Yorkers turning to shrinks to cope with cold weather

New Yorkers are hitting the shrink’s couch in record numbers –and it’s all because of the weather. The protracted cold weather spell has left them feeling blue, says city therapist, Laura Young.

Snow and the “never-ending winter” has left New Yorkers feeling blue. Image by Antonio Quintano / CC BY 2.0

And those who can’t afford such sessions are turning to buying ‘light therapy lamps’, the New York Post reports.

Ms Young described the prevailing conditions as a “never-ending winter” adding that New Yorkers are down and lethargic after all they have endured.

She said she tries to be upbeat by telling clients that the days are getting longer but at the same time she empathises with their feelings.

Hammacher Schlemmer, an employee at a high-end gadget store on East 57th Street, revealed that his store had sold out its stock of $99.95 “light therapy lamps” for the second occasion over the winter, stressing that sales had tripled over the past seven days alone.

Health-care manager at NYU Langone Medical Center, Karen John, 40, said it was the white stuff – snow – that had so many patients and co-workers feeling blue.

“I’m sick of it. We’ve had enough this year,’’ she added.