Are you caught in the Winter doldrums? You are not alone. During the cold and gray days we experience in the Winter months, many of us are feeling a little off. We may not feel like engaging in our usual daily activities. We may look at people around us and think “What is he or she so happy about?” The answer is that there are plenty of people who herald wintertime with its cold and ice and snow and wind. They wonder why we are so glum. The fact is that while we may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), they do not.
Those who suffer from SAD manifest a significant alteration in mood. They may sleep too much and have low energy levels. They often crave sweets and starchy foods. Many feel depressed. They let the laundry and dishes stack up untended. They avoid going out and being around other people in the grocery store or at Church. They may stop meeting at the water cooler or joining their colleagues for lunch.
They even withdraw from family and friends. They abandon their daily exercise routines and opt for staying in bed or on the couch staring disinterestedly at the tv screen. Reading seems like just too much effort for them.
In recent years, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has given the condition the name Seasonal Affective Disorder for a reason. When a condition seen in many patients has been labeled a disease, doctors are able to prescribe drugs.
The American Psychiatric Association attributes SAD to the lack of sunshine which accompanies the Winter months. SAD is reported most commonly in the Northern States. Further, they report that SAD is most serious for those who have a history of underlying depression or who have presented with emotional problems in the past. People with chronic health conditions are also more at risk for a Winter blues episode. What is happening is that the brains of its victims exhibit a bio-chemical imbalance which causes their internal biological clock to be out of kilter with daily activities.
Take heart. If you or a loved one suffers from SAD, know that as Annie sang it so confidently, “The sun will come out tomorrow.” The onset of Spring may usher in more that tulips. It may be your ticket to renewed energy and happier days.
Know that while the condition of SAD lasts, there are treatments.
- Prescription medication
- Counseling
- Dietary changes
- Stress management strategies
- Moving to a sunny climate during Winter
- Light boxes which simulate natural outdoor light
You can help yourself or loved one. See your physician and enlist the help of family and friends.
