People often like to believe that depressed people are just lazy. These are the very same people who might have very sketchy views about mental illnesses and mental health in general. These people probably also deny that mental illness is even a thing. But, to hell with such myopic nincompoops. Apart from dealing with occasional anxiety attacks, I have spent a large portion of my teenage years depressed. It still revisits me sometimes, especially during season changes.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), AKA seasonal depression can be crippling and overwhelming. Everybody feels the moody blues on Monday mornings and at the onset of winters. The dipping temperatures and gloomy atmosphere can take a toll on anyone. But, feeling sad and having depression are two entirely different things. This is what happens to me when I have a bout of SAD.
● My mood is low all day.
● I feel drowsy, fatigued, and lethargic, no matter how many hours I slept the previous night.
● I am prone to massive mood swings usually accompanied by severe irritability.
● I lose interest in doing anything. I’m a foodie, and even food fails to bring me solace. In fact, on most days I have no appetite at all.
Exercise does help, but being able to muster up the will to actually get up and do it is usually too low. Nibbling on dark chocolate helps. But, that’s about the extent of it. I have even considered seeking therapy for it, but for whatever reason I end up avoiding it. The thing about seasonal depression is that though it feels as terrible as regular depression, the symptoms are only present during certain seasonal pockets. The symptoms tend to completely go away after a while, which is why it’s easier to ignore the fact that people need to seek if there is a recurring pattern to things.
You can always read up a bit more, and do your own research before seeking therapy. Consider going to a psychiatrist if need be because sometimes you might require therapy or counselling only after you receive a diagnosis. But, know this that you’re not alone, know this that this is very much real, and help will come to you. All you need to do is just seek it.
