Along with pretty rust-colored leaves and pumpkin spice lattes, there’s another, less-celebrated hallmark of the fall season—the onset of a mental and emotional slump known as seasonal affective disorder.
Known also by its very appropriate acronym, SAD, this disorder can sometimes be severe enough to significantly disrupt day-to-day functioning.
As temperatures steadily fall and sunset times continue their relentless backward march toward winter solstice, an estimated 10 million Americans, according to Boston University School of Medicine, will suffer symptoms associated with major depression, which could include feeling hopeless or worthless, having low energy and motivation, feeling depressed most of the time, experiencing weight gain, withdrawing from social activities, and having trouble sleeping….