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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how does it Affect You?

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Photo by Chris Lawton

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? 

Have you ever taken inventory of how your mood changes during seasonal shifts?

Perhaps that moody feeling that you can’t exactly put your finger on. Or, the sudden snap of your energy that was once fueled by warm weather and outside gatherings. Chances are, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) could be a contributing factor.

SAD is a form of depression typically triggered during the Fall season and lasts throughout the winter months. Don’t brush off your feelings as another case of the “winter blues” or a funk. Be proactive and take steps to help keep your mood elevated and steady.

What Are Symptoms?

Photo by Andrik Langfield

Seasonal affective disorder symptoms can appear differently for everyone. I know, I know! Great, how do I recognize the difference between my perceived “winter blues” and SAD?

Well, in most instances, seasonal affective disorder symptoms tend to increase during late fall or early winter for some, and decrease during sunnier days of spring and summer.

The intensity of symptoms can range from mild to severe as the season continues.

SAD signs and symptoms to watch for may include: 

  • “Feeling listless, sad or down” most of the day, nearly every day 
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed 
  • Having low energy and feeling sluggish 
  • Having problems with sleeping too much 
  • Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain 
  • Having difficulty concentrating 
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty 
  • Having thoughts of not wanting to live

When Should I Seek Support?

Let me say, it’s not uncommon to have down days as we all experience them. We’re living in an era where a cough can spike our spidey senses and we’re gauging appearances of others from their eyeballs and masks.

Seeking support from a therapist or trained mental health professional should be sought if you begin to notice: 

  • Down days are lasting for extended periods of time 
  • You’re lacking motivation in activities you’d typically enjoy 
  • You’re experience feelings of hopelessness or suicide 
  • Increase use of alcohol or drugs for relaxation

While there are not any known ways of preventing seasonal affective disorder, there are supports available to you.

Don’t spend another season managing this alone.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most”
— Buddha

Meet the Author

Brittany Spencer, LCPC is an individual and couple therapist, and serves as the director of inclusivity at Space Between Counseling Services in Baltimore City, Maryland. Brittany specializes in counseling for individuals and couples using Stan Tatkin’s Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) (Level 1) Trained.

Brittany specializes in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC community, Racism & oppression in marginalized communities, Premarital + Pre-commitment Couples, Neurodiverse Couples, Traditional relationships, Nontraditional non monogamous and all consensual relationships, and other mental health providers.

When Brittany is not focusing on her clinical growth and expansion as a therapist in Baltimore, she enjoys going to the gym, outdoor hiking, participating in local charm city races, and spending time with her wife and family.

If you’re interested in learning more about working or consulting with Brittany, you can click the link below to her webpage.