As the sun sets earlier in the day, you may find yourself starting to feel a lack of motivation or a feeling of sadness with no apparent cause. Some may ask themselves why they still feel down even when being around family and friends, but what is the cause of this phenomenon? Is there anything you can do to combat this feeling?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. SAD is sometimes known as “winter depression” because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter. This mainly plays a factor when a big event like Christmas has passed, and we start to feel down even after having a great time with the ones we love.
“When things were quiet again, and I felt a surprising sense of sadness, loneliness, and disappointment,” according to psychotherapist F. Diane Barth. “This feeling seemed to follow no matter how happy the festivities had been, how well the family behaved, or how badly things had gone. It was easy to understand my unhappiness if the day had gone badly, but as I came to understand, even wonderful celebrations can lead to a letdown when they’re over.”
The main thing about SAD is that it doesn’t have a set group of people it can affect. It is more prone to show in young adults, but it only affects 5% of Americans. Winter blues is a general term, not a medical diagnosis. It’s relatively common, and it’s more mild than serious. The winter blues are often linked to stressful holidays or reminders of absent loved ones. This type of depression is generally overshadowed by the fact that it only lasts through the fall and winter seasons, unlike its counterparts. With that in mind, it is still something to take action over. Without treatment, the symptoms can last for prolonged periods.
Antidepressants don’t always solve the treatment of this type of depression. A lot of it narrows down to how you view the outlook of your life at the time. For instance, if you have a harsher outlook on your life, then it’s likely that you can be more prone to the worse side of SAD. In the new year, prioritize caring for yourself — especially during the winter months. Be kind to yourself and be patient.
