Feeling "S.A.D."?

Like many others, I have Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter months. As fall begins, so do the symptoms, and by this time of year it's got me pretty worn down. I take all the suggested steps to avoid it (vitamin D supplements, exercise, plenty of rest, healthy diet, etc.) But no matter what I do, it seems that I'm fighting a losing battle. If S.A.D. was able to take on a physical form, I would punch it right in its face and say "stop wasting my time!!" This week has been ROUGH on me. I slept in on Monday, called in sick on Tuesday, and managed to get up on time this morning only through superhuman effort (and the knowledge that there are still bills to pay). The most irritating part is that I was getting through it pretty good this year, but as soon as I slacked off for one day, indulging in carbs and sugar and not exercising, it hit me full force. Are we all sure we're NOT meant to be hibernating?

From the Mayo clinic's site:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195/DSECTION=symptoms
Fall and winter seasonal affective disorder (winter depression)Winter-onset seasonal affective disorder symptoms include:

• Depression
• Hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Loss of energy
• Heavy, "leaden" feeling in the arms or legs
• Social withdrawal
• Oversleeping
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating

I can put a checkmark beside most of these on any given day these past couple of weeks. Now I have a tremendous amount of willpower and intolerance for whining, but for this day I will try to have more compassion for myself. I know it will pass; the days are longer now and it will be spring before we know it. More reassuring yet is the knowledge that I am not alone.

So to all my fellow sufferers, I raise a cup of coffee to you. We await the spring and summer, and more of the sun.