As summer draws to an end, the thought of shorter and darker evenings can be a daunting prospect for some people. This could lead to ‘SAD”, which stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. For quite a while, this disorder was trivialised by social media and especially memes surrounding what this entails. But for many people, this time of year and shift in weather can leave them feeling very deflated and overwhelmed. Possible symptoms of this disorder include the following:
• a persistent low mood and irritability
• a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
• feelings of despair, guilt, and worthlessness
• sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
• craving carbohydrates and gaining weight
• difficulty concentrating
• decreased sex drive
It is important to learn more about this disorder, so people can identify that they are not alone in this growing feeling they may be experiencing and that talking about it with each other can assist in decreasing your stress levels and helping your mental wellbeing.
What are the causes of SAD?
Doctors have discussed the reasons behind the growing increase in people expiring this disorder and why. This consistently circles back to the lack of sunlight and the effect this has on your body. This can lead to an increase in the hormone melatonin which makes you tired, as well as lowering production of serotonin, which can lead many to depression.
There is help
If you feel you may be experiencing any of the symptoms above, the good news is there is help and treatment out there. This can be something as simple as ensuring you get out of the house and exercise as regularly as possible. Talking therapy is another extremely helpful tool to help many through this time. Finally, light therapy can help to ensure they feel they have had enough exposure to sunlight.
If you do feel you are struggling or overwhelmed, please ensure you talk to someone, as there is always help you can find to improve your lifestyle and mental health.
