The Mayo Clinic says S.A.D. in a nutshell is
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. SAD begins and ends at about the same time every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.”
Some of the risk factors for SAD are family history, having major depression or bipolar, living far from the equator and low level of vitamin D. I have 2 of those risk factors I believe. I live a distance from the equator and I have chronic low levels of vitamin D. I suffer with SAD to a very small extent.
Typical symptoms are feeling listless, losing interest in activities once enjoyed, low energy, sleeping problems as in sleeping too much, carb cravings culminating in over eating and weight gain. (If you suffer any of these symptoms I think it’s a good idea to get checked out.)
Luckily my symptoms are few … sleep and carb cravings related. In fact had I not experienced other symptoms that I ultimately found out were related to my Vitamin D deficiency I never would have used the acronym SAD to describe my overall issues.
Thankfully for me the fix was simple once diagnosed. Good old Vitamin D in tablet form along with natural sunlight and my issues were sorted. Like I said my SAD wasn’t very severe.
Until the next time.
Good info for anyone who hasn't considered that this could be causing the symptoms listed (like my brother!)
I too live in an area with many months of dark, cold winter. Compared to Florida (where I visit frequently because of family), even our summer season doesn't offer an overabundance of sunshine. I've never been diagnosed with a deficiency but I take supplements just in case!
Yes…it’s a trouble some condition..a lot of people suffer from this …I do …I also take vitamins to help..the sun is definitely a god send …I usually can’t wait til the time change in the spring and the day length getting longer by the minute !! Yeah!! We’re almost there!🥰