Does “winter blues” seem like way too cutesy of a name for what you go through this time of year? Do you find that instead of experiencing a minor sense of gloom when the seasons change, your everyday life is suddenly interrupted by exhaustion, crying spells, crankiness, and an inability to concentrate?
You may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a type of depression influenced by the changing of seasons. According to NYC-based clinical psychologist Dr. Jephtha Tausig-Edwards, about 4-6 percent of Americans experience SAD. It’s a phrase that’s tossed around casually a lot (can you count how many times you’ve heard a coworker say “ugh, I hate snow, I must have SAD”?) so it comes along with a lot of misconceptions. If you think you’re experiencing SAD (or are a loved one of someone who is), take note of some of the things about it that are commonly misunderstood…