S.A.D.

I am so frustrated right now I am shaking. I am actually angry because the weather is so cold. As I was running today I was fighting back tears because I know there is absolutely nothing I can do to make the weather get nicer faster. When I entered my undergraduate program and took my first psychology class I was introduced to the concept of S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder. I quickly self diagnosed that I was one who was afflicted with this disorder. Now that I have almost completed my Psychopathology course and am qualified to diagnose if I so choose, I am confident that I have seasonal depressive episodes. The characteristics of this are prominent anergy (lack of energy), hypersomnia, overeating, weight gain, and a craving for carbohydrates. The depressive episodes must only occur during the specific season. Prevalence rates increase with latitude and tend to be higher in young women. All I want is nice weather so that I can leave this season's depression behind and look forward to an energy filled, happy Spring and Summer. I know I am doing the right thing by exercising and spending time in sunlight (the process of absorbing sunlight can heighten mood dramatically) but I just don't want to do anything. When I get in moods like this I start feeling like the world is against me (i.e. it is cold specifically because I want to train for the marathon and the cold makes it hard to do so), that nobody likes me, and there is no use in trying. Maybe it's because of my personality or my training but I can usually rationalize my way out of those thoughts. However, if you see me and want to give me extra encouragement please feel free! And if I start crying at something you say, don't be offended, that's not the reason I am crying.