If you begin to feel down when the weather turns cold, you may have something called S.A.D.
Seasonal affective disorder is a category of depression that mostly occurs during the transition of the warmer seasons to the colder seasons. One may begin to experience symptoms of S.A.D. when the amount of daylight is shorter and the nights become longer.
Serotonin and melatonin levels are affected as a result of reduced sunlight and can also affect a person’s sleep patterns and their mood. This disorder is commonly seen in women, young people, and people already diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder.
Common symptoms seen in people who have seasonal affective disorder are: irritability, feeling tired or having low energy, getting along with others people becomes difficult, hypersensitivity to rejection, legs and arms feel heavy, oversleeping, appetite changes (cravings for foods with high carbohydrates), and weight gain.
Methods of treatment vary from light therapy to medication to home remedies. Medication such as antidepressants can be a big help in treating and reducing symptoms of S.A.D.. Another method that one can seek out is psychotherapy, or talk therapy. By talking to a professional, one is able to voice their thoughts and feelings and can also be given suggestions that will help them deal with the disorder. Home remedies can be as simple as exercising and getting outside or making your home brighter keeping blinds open. One can also try yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
Some tips as you go forward with seeking help:
Keep up with your treatments.
Take breaks when you can from school work to get out into the sunlight.
Identify your negative behaviors and research ways to deal with them.
Friends can be a great support when you are feeling down.
Simply talking to people you care about and who care about you can help lift your mood.
If you can, take a vacation to somewhere sunny and warm!
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please seek professional help! You are not alone in what you are feeling and there are methods of treatment that can help you. Put your health first!
Information gathered from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/basics/symptoms/con-20021047