Every Aug. 1, an alarm goes off in my brain. Fall is coming. Then winter. Then you’ll be depressed. FOR MONTHS. While it’s not exactly a cheerful thought, it’s one that I can count on every year. But every year, I also learn how to prepare myself even better for what’s heading my way: Seasonal Affective Disorder. Known as “SAD,” it’s a form of depression that affects people as the seasons change, resulting in low mood, lethargy, and non-stop carb cravings until spring makes its return once again. According to Mental Health America, it impacts around 5 percent of the U.S. population, especially people who live in the northern states.
