Don't get startled after reading the title of today's post. I am not sad or unhappy or low. SAD stands for seasonal affective disorder. That means this disorder affects people when the seasons change. Especially during autumn and winter, this disorder is prevelant and it is also linked to the absence of sun and in turn to the less release of the "feel good" hormone serotonin.
I heard this term yesterday from a British friend and she said she has it too. She is happy when the sun is out there and doesn't feel good when it is grey, cloudy and dark. The months of December, January and February are the ones when this disorder is most rampant and many people all over the world take treatment for getting cured from this disorder. People are less sad and moody during spring and summer.
There can be days together when you feel irritable, moody, low, extremely sensitive and you don't realise what is wrong with you. You start crying at the spur of the moment and most often nothing major has happened. You try to figure out the reason behind this irrational behaviour and you have no answer to it. You are not doing it purposefully. It's because a certain chemical reaction is taking place in your brain due to the absence of sun and sunlight and you are not able to cope up with the dark and grey weather. Your thoughts are haywire. Your brain is unable to process the information well. And you end up becoming more sad and withdrawn and gloomy.
If this continues for days and weeks together, then it is extremely important to see a doctor and take proper treatment by doing various tests. Don't just brush off saying it's just winter blues. Winter blues stay for a day or two, not more than that. So take care of yourself, be aware of SAD and take steps to get rid of it or at least reduce the symptoms and be well equipped to deal with it every year.
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