Robin Brown, LISW-S
Psychotherapist, Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio

As summer winds down, the days grow shorter, and we spend more time indoors. For some people, the changing seasons bring more than an adjustment to cooler weather. They bring noticeable changes in mood, energy, sleep, and motivation.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or seasonal depression, is a type of depression that follows a recurring seasonal pattern, most commonly during the fall and winter months. Seasonal changes can affect the body’s circadian rhythm, the internal clock that helps regulate sleep, wakefulness, and other biological processes. They may also affect chemicals and hormones involved in mood and sleep.

Symptoms of seasonal depression may begin gradually and include: