Why winter’s darker days leave

*Seasonal Affective Disorder leads to depression-like symptoms in months of shortened daylight. With clocks due to go back an hour at the weekend, Lee Henry talks to two NI women who suffer from it

‘I can feel the anxiety set in at 5pm when it begins to get dark’

Ilearned that I had seasonal affective disorder when I was around 18, after reading about it in a local newspaper. I remember having the symptoms ever since I was a very young child but, at that time, mental health was a foreign concept. No one even talked about it. It’s only in recent years that people have begun communicating about mental health to their children.

The general symptoms of SAD are similar to depression and can range from mild to severe. SAD can affect my appetite, my sleep patterns, mood, motivation, sex drive and general outlook on life. Often, sufferers can lack energy and become irritable and even suicidal. Anxiety is also very common in experiencing seasonal affective disorder, and with anxiety can come panic attacks, heart palpitations, irrational thinking and nausea.

I distinctly feel the symptoms take hold when it comes around to September. There is a palpable energy and environmental change, and, of course, September is associated with the beginning of the school term. For me, there is a stress involved in that.

My SAD then fades at the onset of spring. Until then, I have to be vigilant about my mental health. As I’ve gotten older, however, I’ve come to manage my SAD better mainly because I understand it more.

I’m very receptive to sound, light, ambience and even the slightest change in atmosphere and people like me are more predisposed toward SAD. In the autumn and winter months, I can almost tell what time it is by how I sense the atmosphere and ambience. It may sound kooky, but I particularly feel anxiety set in at around 5pm, primarily because it begins to get dark around that time.

Medication is an option for individuals experiencing SAD, yet there are other options to consider. Light-therapy is one way to treat SAD, the use of artificial light to improve mood. A greater intake of vitamin D can help, as can an increased exercise regime. Natural remedies like 5-Hydroxytryptophan or CBD Hemp Seed oil are popular herbal alternatives to anti-depressants.

It’s important that exercise is done in the natural daylight hours as much as possible. It’s about maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D. It’s also important to get the correct nutrition as our diet has a lot to answer for in relation to our mental health.

I also keep busy, through catching up with friends or joining classes. I find that yoga is also a very effective, holistic way to combat stress. Talking is important too. Having a confidant in whom we can speak openly and honestly about problems can really help. Some people aren’t aware that seasonal depression is an actual condition. That is why having a growing conversation about SAD and other mental health issues is necessary. People need to realise it’s not just them and that they’re actually dealing with a very common condition.

My family and friends are always surprised to hear the infor-

❝ I have days when I’m doing fine, but I also don’t hide it when my mood is low

mation I give them about SAD. Often they are shocked because they share the symptoms. It’s a reaction that brings people together. Ninety-nine per cent of the time, I hear other people say, ‘Me too’. The relationships with people in your life can become so much stronger at that point.

Stephen has a very laid back personality and his approach has been beneficial to me too. He has helped me to do things I thought I’d never do. And he understands me especially at this time of the year.

To be honest, I haven’t experienced any negative reactions from people when they learn that I have SAD. Mental health is as real and important as our physical health, and you can’t have one without the other. A negative response from talking about mental health is just as absurd as getting a negative response from talking about physical health.

Admitting and committing to managing your mental health for overall wellbeing is actually one of the most liberating things an individual can do . I use my blogging and social media platforms to speak openly and honestly about my mental health in real time and that definitely helps in dealing with my SAD.

I will have days where I’m fine and doing well, but I also don’t hide it when my anxiety has spiked or my mood is low. On my Facebook Live videos, I speak candidly about what it’s like to live with SAD and other mental health disorders. It’s about normalising mental health issues, providing comfort and empowering people. SAD