Are you feeling the winter blues yet?

Have you been feeling down or sad lately? Nothing really happened but you have not been feeling like your normal self. This is the time of the year when daylight becomes shorter. It could possibly be the “winter blues” or a more professional term would be seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder (also known as SAD) occurs during the beginning of the fall and winter months and ends around spring. There is not a direct cause for SAD but there has been much research on it. Many researchers believes it is due to some people's body producing low Vitamin D levels so lack of sunlight starts to affect them mentally and emotionally. SAD is similar to regular depression except SAD only occurs around this time of the year as the summer days have came to an end. It is more common in women and children; especially those children that enjoy outdoor activities and will have to limit their time outdoor due to daylight ending early. 

Some symptoms of SAD includes hopelessness, social isolation, increased need for sleep, unhappiness, irritable, and loss of interest. Like I shared above, these symptoms are similar as a major depressive disorder. The only difference that people feel these symptoms only around this time of the year.

Some treatment for SAD includes psychotherapy, light therapy, and vitamin D. I also encourage people to find indoor activities or hobbies to do around their home. It is also good to change out the lightbulbs in your home so you can have more light.

Make sure you are following me on Instagram as I will be sharing more on this topic throughout the fall and winter months. Click HERE to follow me. 

Before diagnosing yourself, please seek treatment from a licensed mental health professional.