Feel the days getting shorter and a chill in the air?
Millions of Americans can expect to be impacted by seasonal affective disorder or SAD, especially in the months following winding our clocks back an hour on Nov. 3.
In Northwest Ohio, we lose one hour of sunlight each morning and evening, impacting daily lives.
“We see a lot of seasonal affective disorder in the areas of the country that are typically colder or have less sunlight for longer periods of time,” Elijah Jones, Director of Programs and Services at the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, said.
The symptoms of SAD are aligned with major depressive disorders, Mr. Jones explained.
“Sleeping in longer, or having a hard time getting out of bed or getting aroused, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating or making decisions. It could even include thoughts of death or suicide,” he said.
When we “fall back” an hour, the drive to work in the morning gets difficult for many individuals.
“People struggle with the change around this time, and we see an ongoing struggle with people around the shorter days, less sunlight, people having to go to work when it’s dark and get home when it’s dark,” Mr. Jones said.