Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).  MIND

SAD is sometimes known as “winter depression” because the symptoms are more apparent and tend to be more severe during the winter. The symptoms often begin in the autumn as the days start getting shorter. They’re typically most severe during December, January and February.

SAD often improves and disappears in the spring and summer, although it may return each autumn and winter in a repetitive pattern.

Symptoms of SAD

Symptoms of SAD can include are very similar to depression, these include:

persistent low mood

loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities

irritability

feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness

feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day

sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning

craving carbohydrates and gaining weight

For some people, these symptoms can be severe and have a significant impact on their day-to-day activities. If you find yourself struggling to cope it’s probably a good time to see a counsellor

What causes SAD?

The exact cause of SAD isn’t fully understood. There is evidence to suggest that reduced light plays a biological effect on the production of neurotransmitters. However there are many other factors to be taken into consideration, such as; as the season changes so do our styles of activity. For example we typically spend more time indoors, we are less physically active, our dietary needs alter. These are physical aspects but what about psychological factors? Many people will begin to find that they have far more time on their hands to brood over problems such as money or unresolved issues that arise. Other people find that the dark and the cold makes it far less attractive to go out in order to escape conflicted relationships.

Whatever the causes talking about your problems with a mental-health care specialist will help you gain a clearer perspective of your particular concerns. Our physical life is intimately and inextricably linked to our psychological life, and helping to organise and understand some of the processes associated with psychological life will inevitably have a positive effect on the physical aspect of life

If you are anxious about yourself or another person please don’t hesitate to call Redbridge Counselling. Your well-being is the utmost importance to us http://eastsussexcounselling.com/contact-us-page/