As the holidays inch closer and closer, there are people who aren’t incredibly excited by the idea of snowfall and Christmas presents. For some people, this time of year is a battle against seasonal depression. Dr. Susan Conroy, Assistant Psychiatry Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, says seasonal depression is not a rarity. It’s a common problem for people of all backgrounds. Dr. Conroy says the warning signs are familiar: low energy, loss or gain in appetite, sleeping a lot more, trouble concentrating, and even thoughts of suicide. She says the trigger for seasonal depression is a bit unusual, including the decreased amount of daylight that happens this time of the year. She says if you or someone you know are beginning to see the symptoms, it’s best to reach out to family, friends, doctors, and even the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
