With the holiday season, comes long, dark winter days. Happy times are accompanied by dreary weather that can overwhelm one with times of loneliness. Often times, during the winter months, people tend to be more down in the dumps. This is caused by a form of depression sometimes referred to as Winter Depression, or more technically, Seasonal Affective Disorder (also the ironic acronym, SAD).

Scientists who study SAD are baffled by the specific cause of the disorder. Some factors that come into play may include one’s biological clock. During winter months, days get shorter and the amount of sunlight received is limited. This may affect one’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression. A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood, may be an attribute to SAD. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may bring on depression. The change in season can also disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

Some symptoms can be feeling depressed most of the day, feeling hopeless or worthless, having low energy, losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, oversleeping, gaining weight, feeling sluggish or agitated, experiencing a heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs, having difficulty concentrating, and problems getting along with other people.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is most common in young females with blood relatives who have depression or bipolar disorders. Also, the farther away from the equator, the more common SAD becomes. Though SAD is most common in the winter months, it also occurs in some during spring or early summer.

If experiencing these symptoms, at first, one should try to increase time spent outside or spend more hours in the light. It also may be beneficial to spend less time busy. Set a schedule for this time of year, and do not pack it full of things that could get overwhelming. If that does not help, see a doctor. Do not try to do it alone if you are feeling down during the holiday season!