Feel a little down during the darker months? You’re not alone. Up to 26%- of the population suffers from seasonal depression. The “winter blues,” which is usually mild and short-lived, is responsible in some cases but many are the result of a more severe form of the condition: seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. The winter blues and SAD both come on around the same time of year, but SAD can be far...
Many people experience a dip in mood or a full-blown case of the blues during the winter months. While the -exact cause- of the winter blues—defined as occasional feelings of being down—is unknown, it is believed that changes in serotonin and melatonin levels, both of which are sensitive to dwindling amounts of sunlight, may play a role. The winter blues should not be confused with chronic depression...