Is Seasonal Affective Disorder actually normal ?

I live in Nova Scotia, Canada.  It is now getting dark by 5:30pm.  It is cold, 0 celcius or below.  There is snow falling outside.  Between November and February, the early darkness, cold temperatures and snow will continue.  We won’t see relief until April or May.

I’m not here to talk about the weather though. I am here to talk about how I FEEL in the weather, about Seasonal Affective Disorder.  I feel moody.  I feel irritable.  I don’t want to go outside (which for me is odd as I require nature to truly feel peaceful).  I am less able to handle the daily stressors that I was coping with effectively only a few weeks ago.  What is happening ?

Mental Wellness Winter Survival Tips

Whether you want to call it the winter blues, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression, the winter season DOES produce feelings of sadness, hopelessness, despair and loneliness in many people.  Usually this change occurs between the months of September and April, with many people noticing a serious change throughout January and February.

If the winter months have you feeling suicidal, I recommend seeking professional help from law enforcement, a hospital, your doctor, or mental health crisis centre.

Why Does the Weather Get Us Down ?