It’s OK to ask for help

By: Megan Graves, Columnist

It’s that time of year again. It gets dark as soon as you feel like your day’s really getting started, everything’s grey, it’s cold as frick, there aren’t any good holidays to look forward to for a while and you just don’t seem to really want to get out of bed in the morning.

If you’re feeling down this time of year, there could be a medical reason. It’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short (whoever titled this disorder saw an opportunity and, dammit, they took it). SAD is a form of depression that sets in during the fall, amplifies during the coldest months, and lingers until spring.

According to mentalhealthamerica.net, SAD sets in on those between the ages of 18-30, and three out of four people with the disorder are women.

Common symptoms include a spike in anxiety, mood swings, irritability, trouble sleeping, intense fatigue and a desire to be alone more often than usual.

I know these symptoms seem a lot like those of your typical overworked, under-rested college kid, but seriously. If you notice a change in your behavior or mood as the true winter months set in, don’t ignore it.

Even if you notice a slight change, pay attention to it. Maybe you find yourself sleeping more than usual. Maybe you just feel a little overwhelmed or stressed out. It’s always a good idea to have someone to talk to for a new perspective.

I can’t emphasize how important it is to be aware of how you’re feeling.

Transitioning into adulthood is a complicated, stressful time. Add in constant dark, grey days and you can easily find yourself less happy than you’d like to be. It is OK to ask for help, even if you’re just feeling a little off.

Take care of yourself, wear a coat when you go out and welcome back, Tigers.

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