The days get shorter, the mornings are darker, and it gets cold out.  Three sure signs that winter is here.  And with winter comes the feeling of laziness.  We don't want to go out, we sleep more, and we eat more.  That's normal for most people.

But when this normal desire to hibernate for the winter becomes a problem and affects your daily living, it may be more than a simple case of the winter blues.  Seasonal Affect/Affective Disorder (SAD) affects millions of people each year.  The blues turn into a full-blown depression that is caused by the lack of sunlight during the winter months.

SAD looks like regular depression but only occurs during the winter and has a few distinctive symptoms, such as a craving for sweets and carbs.  While it only lasts for the winter time, it is not something people enjoy going through.  Wanting to sleep all day and not being able to do the things you normally do sucks.  If it can be avoided, most people would.

The good news is there are treatment options out there for those who do suffer from SAD.  Light therapy has been known to be extremely effective in helping with the symptoms of SAD, and therapy and/or antidepressants are available for those who do not respond to light therapy.  Treatment is available for those who need it, and you can get rid of that depression before the spring arrives.  So if that groundhog sees his shadow and predicts another six weeks of winter (which he almost always does), have no fear!  The winter blues won't get you down anymore.