Lots of people get depressed in winter, or suffer from “the winter blues”. The medical name for this winter depression is seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD is a type of depression that is triggered by a change in seasons, most notably when autumn arrives. This seasonal depression worsens in the late autumn or early winter before subsiding in the warmer days of spring. A mild form of SAD known as the “winter blues” can also occur. It’s normal to feel down during the colder months. You could be trapped inside, and it could get you. In some cases, these mood swings are more severe and can have an impact on how a person feels, thinks, and goes about their daily activities. Less sunlight and shorter days are thought to be linked to a chemical change in the brain and may be part of the cause of SAD.
Let’s take a look at the signs and symptoms of SAD. SAD patients typically sleep more than usual and crave carbohydrates. They also exhibit many of the typical depression warning signs, such as:
1.Sadness, feeling depressed most of the day, almost every day.
2.Anxiety.
3.Carbohydrate cravings and weight gain.
4.Extreme fatigue and lack of energy.
5.Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
6.Trouble concentrating.
7.Feeling irritated or agitated.
8.Limbs (arms and legs) that feel heavy.
9.Loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities, including withdrawing from social activities.
10. Sleeping problems (usually oversleeping).
11. Thoughts of death or suicide.
If you feel depressed, tired, and cranky around the same time every year, and these feelings appear to be seasonal in nature, you may have SAD. Discuss your feelings with your Counselor openly. Follow their advice on your lifestyle.
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