SAD or Not

I’m too hot. It’s been three days of sticky, humid, muggy air and I can’t stand it. It’s summer and the heat wave we’ve all been dreaming of is finally upon us, and I for one am checking the weather sites at regular intervals praying for an end to this hot misery I am in.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD as it is more commonly known as, is a disorder affecting individuals of normal mental health, who have a tendency to become depressed, or more depressed than normal in the winter months than the summer months . . . . the condition is so serious that studies have shown that 6-35% of sufferers require hospitalization during one period of illness. Without going into all the Science behind the disorder, it appears that the main cause is lack of sunlight, leading to lack of energy, oversleeping, lethargy, withdrawal from family and friends, reduced concentration, craving of carbohydrates and thus weight gain, and all this sets sufferers down the slippery slope to depression.

There are many different types of treatment for this well known and well-published disorder, including light therapies and medications such as anti depressants. The incidence of SAD is unclear, with many studies quoting different percentages for different areas. But one thing is clear, it appears to affect a rather significant amount of people all over the world from the very mild cases of feeling a little glum to the extreme cases driving people to commit suicide.

I don’t get it. I am, and I now realize definitely in the minority, completely opposite. I don’t enjoy the summer. I believe I suffer from something called Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder.

My first point and argument against the summer is the heat . . . It’s too hot. Talk about feeling lethargic, the heat has practically sedated me, and If I did try and muster up the energy to so something effective, I only end up sweating profusely and requiring yet another shower. I therefore feel I have no option but to do little exercise ad stay as still as possible. And even if I wanted to enjoy the weather, bake in the sun and fry my poor little skin cells until they give up and turn a lovely golden color, I can’t because I’m at work. And it’s not easy to cool down either, I’m not sure how flexible some people’s work places are, but in my office there is a definite no nudity policy, and therefore stripping off to get cool is not an option. And the lack of sleep I’m currently suffering from due to the heat and humidity on a night is only adding to my lethargy during the day.

My next point and again quite the opposite from the conventional SAD, there’s too much light. It’s not right that it’s still light at ten ‘o’ clock at night. There is something very wrong about snuggling up on the couch for cozy night of television when it’s light outside. And if I’ve had a long day at work, that’s all I want to do.

What about hay fever . . . fair enough you may suffer from colds in the winter but hay fever, it’s the worst. I spend five months of the year with my nose dribbling, uncontrollable sneezing, eyes watering and itching like mad . . . it’s relentless. So when friends suggest a picnic in the park on a lovely sunny day I am plagued by the thought of being surrounded by all the freshly cut grass and flowers and so opt to stay in. The only relief is from tablets which cause yet more drowsiness. So how people seem to have so much more energy in the summer is a complete mystery to me.

I love winter, I love the big cozy clothes that you can wrap up in, the more you put on the warmer you get, there is no limit to the number of layers you can put on. Not only that but winter clothes allow you to hide all your wobbly bits which summer makes you put out on display. I love the dark evenings, when staying in is expected no need to feel guilty. I love the cold, I love the snow, I love Christmas.

Winter for me is about families, about colds noses and rosy cheeks, it’s about cuddling up with those you love, safe, solid and forever. Summer for me is unstable, friends here, there and everywhere, things constantly changing, going out every night, holiday romances, even affairs.

So I vote winter . . . . 365 days of the year. But lucky for you I have no say, I am stuck in  a small Minority of Reverse SAD sufferers counting down the months until I come alive again.