Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – better known as seasonal depression – is a type of depression that is triggered by seasonal changes; symptoms often become more apparent in winter and improve in summer, though SAD can occur at any time of year. The exact cause of SAD is unknown, but it has been linked to reduced exposure to sunlight, which is inevitable right now thanks to shorter days. Its symptoms are identical to clinical depression: low mood, lack of energy, feeling uninterested in things you normally enjoy, etc.
Its symptoms are identical to clinical depression: low mood, lack of energy, feeling uninterested in things you normally enjoy etc
Unfortunately, not many people are aware of SAD or take it seriously; I’ve heard “We all feel down at this time of year” too many times to count. While that statement isn’t necessarily false, those who say it fail to understand that there’s more to SAD than merely feeling sad during winter. It has a huge impact on my day-to-day life, including my studies. Constantly feeling tired and unable to concentrate means that I take longer to complete work than usual. I find it much harder to get up in the morning during winter, making those dreaded 9am lectures even less bearable than they already are. I often feel anxious and insecure – particularly about my academic abilities – which in turn makes me less motivated to study. Although I can live a relatively normal life despite SAD, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make it difficult.
SAD can be just as debilitating as any other mental health issue and should be treated as such
SAD can be just as debilitating as any other mental health issue and should be treated as such. Although I can’t speak for everyone suffering from SAD, I hope that sharing my experience will raise awareness of the condition and shatter some misconceptions surrounding it.
If you’re struggling, you can find support at https://www.ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/our-support/our-support-guide/