Affected by the holiday season

With the holiday season now upon us, you can already feel that strange mix of joy and stress starting to percolate, can't you? Spending time with loved ones brings (most of us) a great deal of pleasure, while at the same time following through on holiday-related commitments, making travel arrangements, and being everything to everyone can sometimes be a bit too much to take. Be this as it may, for some people, this time of year ushers in a far more serious problem, one that truly has little to do with holiday stress and even less to do with holiday joy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, triggers feelings of lethargy, sadness and depression during the colder months in those who suffer from it. Last month, our own Bethany Sanders talked about this disorder, referencing its onset and some potential treatment methods. Now, a whole month later -- and with the days growing shorter and colder -- people with SAD may be finding themselves in an extended period of doldrums.

These people could be your friend, your neighbor, your mom, your dad -- or, they could even be you. Many times there are not any glaring outward symptoms of SAD, while other times it can be far more apparent in people. As mentioned, there are some treatment options available, such as light therapy and, if deemed necessary by a medical professional, antidepressants.

If you or someone you know seems to be suffering from something more serious than a mere case of the "winter blues," speaking with a doctor about Seasonal Affective Disorder may not be a bad idea.