How To Beat Seasonal Depression Like A Boss: Signs, Symptoms And Ways To Fight Back
Seasonal depression affects millions each year, and recognizing the warning signs is your first step toward reclaiming your mental health. The post How To Beat Seasonal Depression Like A Boss: Signs, Symptoms And Ways To Fight Back appeared first on MadameNoire.
Black News 
Feeling sad, sluggish, or just not like yourself as the days get shorter, temperatures drop, and sunshine becomes harder to come by? Don’t worry, sis — you’re not alone. While the changing seasons can affect your mood and energy levels, those feelings may be more than just the winter blues.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression associated with seasonal changes. It most commonly begins in the fall or winter and improves during the spring and summer. According to the Mayo Clinic, reduced sunlight can disrupt the body’s internal clock and affect brain chemicals, including serotonin and melatonin, which help regulate mood and sleep.
It’s estimated to affect 10 million Americans, or about 3% of the population, while another 10% may experience milder symptoms. Here’s the tough part: the condition is four times more common in women than men and typically begins between ages 18 and 30, although children can experience it as well, according to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center website.
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These changes can leave you feeling emotionally drained, unmotivated, and stuck in a funk that seems difficult to shake. Although seasonal mood changes can be challenging, symptoms of SAD often improve as the seasons change. Less commonly, some people experience symptoms that begin in the spring or early summer and subside during the fall or winter.
In most cases, SAD symptoms develop in late fall or early winter, often starting mildly before becoming more severe as the season progresses. Recognizing the signs early can help you take steps to manage your symptoms and get the support you need.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
Here are some key signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder to take note of. It may leave you:
- Feeling sad, down, or emotionally drained for most of the day, nearly every day.
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.
- Experiencing low energy, fatigue, or sluggishness.
- Sleeping more than usual.
- Craving carbohydrates, overeating, or experiencing weight gain.
- Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty.
- Experiencing thoughts of death or not wanting to live.
The post How To Beat Seasonal Depression Like A Boss: Signs, Symptoms And Ways To Fight Back appeared first on MadameNoire.
