In a developing story out of Brooklyn, NY, 25-year-old Maria Thomas is wondering whether she has seasonal depression or just an average, typical relationship to the changing seasons.
“I feel totally different depending on the season,” Maria told reporters. “Like, in the winter I feel sad because I can’t spend that much time outside, but in the summer I feel great because I can go outside whenever I want. But is that seasonal affective disorder, or just life in the Northeast in general?”
According to mental health experts, the answer to this question can be quite complicated.
“Seasonal affective disorder typically occurs during fall or winter because these seasons have shorter days and less daylight, causing a chemical change in the brain leading to depression,” said Dr. Hilary Fuentes, Head of Mental Health Studies at New York University. “But also, these seasonal changes kind of affect everyone to varying extents, so the jury’s still out on whether or not Maria has SAD. She should probably just take her best guess!”
While Maria has already been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, this diagnosis has only complicated her understanding of seasonal depression further.
“So, am I just depressed all year round, but I feel it more in the winter?” she genuinely asked reporters, grasping at straws. “I guess that would make sense, but then wouldn’t that also be seasonal affective disorder, by its definition? I can’t really imagine anyone feeling just as good in winter as they do in the summer, but maybe that’s just me? Can someone give me an answer please?”
Numerous mental health experts didn’t really have anything else to offer on the subject, but they did suggest that Maria buy a SAD lamp for the winter if she’s really so worried about it.
When asked if she was seeking a diagnosis from a mental health professional for her change in mood throughout the year, Maria explained that she was not planning on it.
“Absolutely not,” she told reporters. “I’m going to get to the bottom of this using Google, and Google alone.”
