Fall isn’t my favorite season. While I love crisp apples, sweater weather, and the excitement of a new school year, I dread the shorter days and longer nights. Like the once green trees, I feel as if I lose a little life in me as fall turns to winter. It took me a while to realize what I was going through was more than just a case of the winter blues. I am one of over 10 million Americans who have been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is associated with the changing of the seasons and is most commonly associated with the fall and winter months. Symptoms of SAD include having low energy, anxiety, problems sleeping, gaining weight, and an overall feeling of sluggishness.
While the official cause of SAD is unknown, some experts believe it is linked to the amount of daylight a person receives. Treatment options for SAD include light therapy, medication, and counseling.