Overcoming the Winter Blues

"I have less energy. My mood is lower and I'm more irritable. I sometimes procrastinate and avoid social activities. I'm distracted and it's harder to focus. Things don't seem to interest me very much and stuff that used to bring me a sense of pleasure just doesn't. I feel sluggish even though I'm sleeping more than usual, and by the time winter sets in, I'm really depressed."

"It's not. Adam and others like him have a very real condition that negatively affects their mood, sleep, appetite, fatigue, motivation, focus, activity level, connection to other people, and sense of interest and pleasure. People with SAD may find that their sleep becomes negatively affected as well, decreasing their energy and sense of well-being."

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a recurrent form of depression that emerges in a seasonal pattern, typically worsening in fall and winter and remitting in spring. Symptoms include low mood, irritability, low energy, hypersomnia or sleep disruption, changes in appetite, loss of interest and pleasure, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, reduced motivation, and social withdrawal. The DSM-5-TR recognizes this seasonal pattern in recurrent depressive episodes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has evidence supporting both effective treatment of acute SAD and prevention of relapse. Evaluating and restructuring negative thoughts can help reduce symptom severity and restore functioning during the winter months.

Read at Psychology Today