![\"SAD\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2224657308.jpg\")
The NHS urged people to be wary of the signs of a disorder that can be “severe” in the winter(Image: Getty)<\/p>\nYou may not realise that how you’re feeling is linked to the seasons<\/p>\n
13:18, 01 Dec 2025Updated 14:00, 01 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
The NHS urged people to be wary of the signs of a disorder that can be “severe” in the winter(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
The NHS has urged people to be aware of the symptoms of a winter condition. According to the health body, signs of this disorder are often more \u201csevere\u201d at this time of year.<\/p>\n
In an update posted to social media platform X, the NHS<\/a> drew attention to seasonal affective disorder. It explained: \u201cFor some people, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cKnow the symptoms of SAD and treatment options available.\u201d SAD is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern.<\/p>\n On its website, the NHS explains that SAD is sometimes known as “winter depression” because the symptoms are usually \u201cmore apparent and more severe\u201d during the winter.<\/p>\n Therefore, some people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter.<\/p>\n Content cannot be displayed without consentSymptoms<\/p>\n Symptoms of SAD can include:<\/p>\n The NHS says: \u201cFor some people, these symptoms can be severe and have a significant impact on their day-to-day activities.\u201d<\/p>\n Experts at the NHS say you should consider seeing the GP if you think you might have SAD and you’re \u201cstruggling to cope\u201d. It said: \u201cThe GP can carry out an assessment to check your mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cThey may ask you about your mood, lifestyle, eating habits and sleeping patterns, plus any seasonal changes in your thoughts and behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the exact cause of SAD is not fully understood, it’s often linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days. The NHS notes that a lack of sunlight might stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus working properly, which may affect the:<\/p>\n The NHS added: \u201cIt’s also possible that some people are more vulnerable to SAD as a result of their genes, as some cases appear to run in families.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
![\"Sleepy\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2_GettyImages-1885436370.jpg\")
One of the signs include feeling lethargic and sleepy during the day(Image: Getty)When to seek help<\/p>\n![\"SAD\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_GettyImages-2154576214-1.jpg\")
The NHS urged people to be wary of the signs of a disorder that can be “severe” in the winter(Image: Getty)Causes of SAD<\/p>\n\n