SAD is very common among women.
The change in season - colder days, and darker evenings can make you feel down, but it's important to look into those feelings to see if it's something more serious.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is commonly known as SAD and is a form of depression which is related to the change in seasons.
For most sufferers, it will appear in late autumn or early winter and ease up during the brighter spring days, though this is not always the case. It can also affect people in the opposite way, where they will experience SAD during the brighter, sunnier seasons.
The disorder can affect anyone, but it is more common among women than men. And more likely to occur between the ages of 15 and 55.
Theses are certain symptoms to look out for if you think you may be experiencing this, according to the
Mayo Clinic.
- Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Having low energy
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having problems with sleeping
- Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
These symptoms can vary based on the seasons in which it affects you most. For example, if you are most affected during the winter you may experience the following:
- Irritability
- Problems getting along with other people
- Hypersensitivity to rejection
- Heavy, "leaden" feeling in the arms or legs
- Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain
If you are more affected in the summer, you may experience these symptoms:
- Depression
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Agitation or anxiety
If any of these symptoms are familiar to you and are persistent, it is recommended that you visit your GP.
