Trigger Warning- Mentions of Depression, Suicide
SAD. Also known as seasonal affective disorder, is a form of depression that affects one when the seasons change. Typically people with SAD begin to feel the symptoms in the fall and continue out through the winter months. Sometimes, more uncommonly, people will experience SAD during the spring and summer seasons. While it’s more common for people to experience SAD during fall and winter months, symptoms one may have during the spring and summer months are not invalid just because it’s more uncommon.
Symptoms of SAD can include the following:
Feeling down almost, or nearly every day
Losing interest in activities you typically enjoy
Low energy
Sleeping too much
Overeating
Difficulty concentrating on tasks
Feeling hopeless
Having thoughts of suicide
Some treatments for SAD are light therapy, psychotherapy and medications.
If you believe you are experiencing SAD, reach out to someone; it could be a friend, sibling, an adult you trust. Know you aren’t alone.