Light and Seasonal Affective Disorder
Do you feel low in energy and mood at this time of year?
Maybe there's a reason for that.
Given our ADHD and lack of object permanency, you might forget about it, even if you are aware (as I do every bloomin' year until it comes to bite me on the bum in late October/early November).
That reason is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Seasonal Depression.
Did you know that 27% of us with ADHD also suffer from low mood and energy in the winter months?
And that if you have co-morbid depression and/or bipolar disorder too, this can rise to as much as 61% of us?
Here are some of the symptoms:
Depressed mood: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair.
Loss of interest: Decreased interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
Low energy: Feeling fatigued or consistently low on energy.
Sleep issues: Oversleeping (hypersomnia) or, less commonly, difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
Changes in appetite: Particularly cravings for carbohydrates, leading to weight gain.
Feeling sluggish or agitated: Physical or cognitive slowing or restlessness.
Difficulty concentrating: Problems with focus or decision-making.
Feeling worthless or guilty: Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt.
Social withdrawal: Avoiding social activities and interactions.
Suicidal thoughts or behaviours: In severe cases, thoughts of death or suicide.
If several of the above are affecting you right now...there's some simple adjustments we can make to alleviate our seasonal symptoms.
(They cost pennies and don't involve jumping into an ice bath at 6am)*
Scroll through the presentation slides