The brilliant sunshine of summer is fading, and gloomy clouds are forming above threatening rain at any time. It is normal to feel down when the weather and seasons change - but if you feel sad for most of the day, you might have SAD.
SAD is seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that affects people mainly during the winter. Around 1 in 20 people have been diagnosed with it. It is more likely that about 10% of people suffer from SAD but don’t think their symptoms are anything more than the winter blues.
The exact reasons people suffer are unknown and the same factors might affect everyone differently. Research has shown that changes to your circadian rhythm, serotonin levels and melatonin play an important role in regulating your happiness through the seasons.
