Surviving the Winter Blues
Winter in Muskoka Lakes , Ontario , Canada . Photo credit to Garry MacMillan Winter is a tough season for a lot of us. Major Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern , formerly and more commonly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD - a seasonal form of depression - will affect approximately 15% of Canadians in their lifetime, according to the Canadian Psychological Association . The short days, long nights, frigid temperatures and lack of sunlight during winter in northern countries prove to be troublesome for many, although people may suffer from the winter blues even in warmer climates. Some people may also experience season-linked depression in the summer , although most sufferers experience symptoms in the fall and winter months. Symptoms of seasonal depression can include - but are not limited to - feeling sad, low energy, sleep problems, irritability, little desire to see people, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite or weight, and loss of interest in a