Winter Mood Issues: 10 Signs to Watch For That May Point to Seasonal Affective Disorder Mental Health Diseases/Disorders
Everyone feels down some days, but sometimes, depression can be exacerbated by the season. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is when people with good mental health throughout the year experience recurrent depressive symptoms, most commonly in winter.
SAD affects 10 million Americans and it’s four times as common among women. If you typically suffer from mood problems this time of year, here are signs it’s SAD and not just a typical case of the winter blues:
- Hopeless feelings.
- Tendency to oversleep.
- Changes in appetite.
- Weight gain.
- Energy loss.
- Irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Avoidance of social situations.
- Feelings of social rejection.
- A decline in physical activity.
If depressive feelings are keeping you from doing activities you love, make an appointment with a nurse practitioner to see if you suffer from SAD. Treatments like light therapy, antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can improve your quality of life in winter and help you prepare better for next year.
Note: 30Seconds is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links. The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.
Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get inspiration in your newsfeed daily. Inspire and be inspired.