Saturday, February 26, 2011

SAD

I think I have this, every year about Mid January I start feeling so not like myself. I can't seem to kick that feeling of despair. I'm always so anxious for the trees to start blooming. It's overwhelming.

Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.

Symptoms usually build up gradually in the late autumn and winter months.

Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
Increased appetite with weight gain
Increased sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness
Lack of energy and loss of interest in work or other activities
Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
Social withdrawal
Unhappiness and irritability

I have all of these. Wondering how common it is. I feel like I could sweep this under the rug and pretend I'm fine. I usually do. But knowledge is power right? Next year I can be prepared to ask my doctor for help to see if I can skip this crappy mood.

Mother Nature won't you please bring spring early this year.

4 comments:

Bret Bushman Family said...

I seriously feel this same way!!!! I just want to hang out in my room and be distant from everyone and I feel sad and tired. Thanks for sharing this.

vintagejodie said...

Hope you feel better soon! This is the hardest time of the year for me too. After Christmas I am ready to skip right to spring.

Marin said...

i think i have s.a.d. but i get it in the summer months. that's when i don't feel like doing anything and i feel really lethargic, it's too hot!

Omgirl said...

I get this every year. but usually I don't realize it. I just start feeling worse and worse, more tired and run down and listless and I don't know why. Until the weather changes and I get outside, and suddenly my spirits lift and I feel so happy and energized. Then I realize, "Oh! I had SAD again! So that's why I felt so awful!" DUH. But every year about this time I get the same blues and can't figure out why.