SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

There are days in late fall and winter when the light seems to vanish before it reaches the earth, when mornings feel heavy and the world moves a little more slowly. For some, this is more than a seasonal melancholy—it is Seasonal Affective Disorder, a depression that arrives with the changing seasons and retreats as sunlight returns.

Those who live with SAD notice its rhythm: low mood, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep, and cravings for comfort. Life feels heavier; simple tasks require effort, and the mind withdraws inward. In rarer cases, the summer months bring their own shadows—restlessness, irritability, insomnia, and unease under the bright sun.

Biology and environment intertwine in SAD. Shortened daylight disrupts the body’s internal clock and mood-regulating chemicals. Genetics, family history, and life experiences all play their part, shaping vulnerability.

Relief is possible. Light therapy mimics the sun and resets the internal rhythm. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers tools to challenge negative thoughts and regain engagement with life. Medication, where needed, and small daily habits—walking in daylight, moving the body, maintaining social connection—can all help steady mood.

SAD touches more than just emotion; it reaches into daily life, work, and relationships. But with awareness, care, and intervention, the cycle of shadow and light can be navigated. Recognizing the signs and seeking help allows the mind to meet the seasons without surrendering to them, to find light even in the longest, darkest days.