As the days get shorter and the nights draw in, some will be bracing themselves for the onset of seasonal affective disorder, known as S.A.D. Although the cause isn’t clear, loss of sunlight and vitamin D are key contributing factors for S.A.D., which is a recognised depressive illness that can last as long as 5 months of the year.
The ancient civilisations of China, Greece, Rome, Persia and the Islamic Golden Age all identified the condition we now know as depression, with the Jewish scriptures detailing stories of the clearly depressed in Job, David, Jonah and Elijah amongst others. ‘Melancholia’ was documented by Hippocrates as a specific disease with mental and physical symptoms, which he noted were characterised by all “fears and despondencies, if they last a long time“.
After centuries of attention on the illness, little has changed in terms of the 
recognised signs and symptoms of depression that can include low mood, loss of interest, poor concentration, feeling sad, worthless, guilty or not want to live, changes to sleep, energy and appetite. People can feel hopeless, as the anonymous poet Atticus Poetry writes, “depression is being colour-blind but constantly being told how colourful the world is”. For those with S.A.D., this can truly be the case, with the use of specialist lamps and sunrise alarm clocks often necessary to mimic natural light and restore circadian rhythms.
Depression is no stranger to many, and according to the World Health Organisation, in 2017, depression was the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. If anyone experiences symptoms, it is important to go and see a GP. The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association Seasonal Affective Disorder & Depression – SADA has excellent descriptions of symptoms, treatment and resources to help too.
Depression might develop slowly or quickly, be felt every moment or come and go through the day or week, it can result in people taking their lives and should always be treated. No one should live in permanent misery and there are lots of ways to alleviate the illness; from exercising, mindfulness, talking therapies, self-help books, meditating and prayer, being outdoors, relaxation techniques, strategies to manage intrusive thoughts and difficult feelings, medication and hospital support. As motivation and lethargy often feature in depression, alongside the tendency to isolate or want to shut away from people, having others – family, friends, colleagues, professionals – who are aware of the situation and able to assist, is key.
No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light Luke 8: 16
Sometimes we might just need someone else to help us do this. Don’t be alone, if you are affected by the Winter blues, don’t struggle on, reach out, help is available to bring back the light.