How Seasonal Affective Disorder Could Impact Your Mood This Winter

Many people go through periods where they don’t feel like themselves

“As we get into the standard time and earlier sunsets, and later sunrises, and more indoor time, people start to get more depressed, irritable, less enjoyment of things they normally do,” said Dr. Kyle Schauf. 

It's normal to feel down sometimes, but if you’ve noticed yourself feeling down more than usual these fall and winter months, Dr. Kyle Schauf says you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder.

"When you have these gray, gloomy, foggy, cold, rainy days like we’ve had, it's a little more common to show up,” he said. 

It has the same symptoms as depression, but as the name says… it's in a seasonal pattern.

Some people like Alice Partido prefer the cold weather.  

“I actually don’t mind; it’s winter and I love winter weather... I’m always happy in the winter,” she said. 

For Michael Bush, as the days grew shorter and the sun began to hide behind the clouds, he says he found himself feeling dull sometimes.

“The weather’s really been kind of keeping me in these past few weeks, the snow and ice has made it a little gloomy,” he says. 

But today…for the first time in what feels like forever

“It’s been quite a while,” Bush says. 

The sun came out to play…and so did he.

“Been stuck in the house, so just wanted to get out with the friend group today and really kind of enjoy the sunshine a little bit," he said. 

Bush says he’s grateful for the break from the dreary weather.

“Very grateful, very grateful…I know they’re saying maybe some 60’s next week hopefully so fingers crossed,” he said. 

And as sunshine covers what once was a gloomy sky, he hopes this is a sign of brighter days to come.