Sad. It is a thing. Its proper name is Seasonal Affective Disorder. And it’s the reason you feel so grumpy when the seasons change.

If you live in a part of Australia with cold, cheerless winters, you’ll understand. Your energy levels plummet, you want to hide under the doona, and you feel well, sad. You’re not sick, you’re actually depressed.

But the good thing is, you’ll start to feel better when spring time rolls around.

Doctors don’t really know what causes SAD. But it’s generally agreed that it has to do with levels of sunlight. In winter, the levels of sunlight are reduced, and so our body’s natural sleep patterns, which are regulated largely by sunlight, are disrupted.

In fact, the hormone melatonin, which makes us sleepy, is produced in response to lower levels of light. So it’s no wonder, when we wind the clocks back each Autumn, that we feel so tired.  It’s a great excuse to hibernate all winter long with a doona, comfort food and TV-on-demand.

What are the risk factors?

• Age. It’s uncommon in people under 20 years old.
• Gender. SAD is more pronounced in men than women
• Winter. SAD is more common in the northern hemisphere, with their long, dark winters.
• Genetics. This form of depression may run in families – although the jury is still out on this.

What are the symptoms?

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Weight gain
• Oversleeping
• Loss of libido
• Social isolation
• Increased appetite for carbohydrates
• Difficulty concentrating
• The depression follows the seasons, peaking in winter.

So what can you do about it?

In one word – seratonin. It’s a natural stimulant, and regulates appetite sleep, memory and mood. Your body has low levels of it in winter, but exposure to sunlight is a great booster.

It’s the best reason around to wake up early and go for a walk – it really will make you feel better.

Other ways to get help

As Seasonal Affective Disorder can sometimes be confused with other types of depression, you may need to get some help to help you deal.

• For a start, make an appointment with your doctor – its great place to start the conversation.
• Light Therapy is a common treatment for SAD. It uses artificial light, to mimic sunlight, and trick the brain into reducing the amount of melatonin it creates. However, light therapy is uncommon in Australia because even though it’s cold there is usually plenty of light about – it’s not the Artic Circle, after all.
• Antidepressant drugs, which can be prescribed by your doctor, is a possible solution.
• A regular chat with a specially trained counsellor can help you identify and combat negative thoughts.
• Increase your exposure to sunlight. From opening curtains, or installing skylights, removing overhanging trees that block access to the winter sun, putting your work desk near a window, or eating lunch outdoors, the simplest remedies for SAD can be the most effective.

Remember that you don’t have to suffer alone. Contact Beyond Blue if your SADness is increasingly hard to deal with – there may be an underlining depression that needs to be addressed. Your GP is a great first stop, and will be able to refer you to a psychologist who can help you deal with negative thoughts.