Shorter days can darken mood
Monday, October 5th, 2009
By: Maiken Scott
mscott@whyy.org
Fall is officially here and the days are getting noticeably shorter. As we enter the darker part of the year, many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder. What are the symptoms and possible treatments?
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I have experienced SAD for the past 20 years. I find that winters where we have plenty of snow I feel better because the snow is bright and reflects light. I'm usually fine until after the holidays, but Jan, Feb, and March are the worst. I firmly believe in SAD – my brother lives in AK, where rates of alcoholism are high – probably due to darkness-related depression.