Seasonal Alcoholism is associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder happens during the winter months where it is cold and gets darker earlier. Due to the cold weather and darkness people become depressed. When they become depressed they can also develop other issues such as alcoholism. Many people do not even know they suffer from any of these issues.
Some symptoms of SAD are:
Feelings of depression
Anxiety
A loss of energy and feelings of heaviness in the body and limbs
Feelings of hopelessness or despair
Sleeping too much
Withdrawing from social life to ‘hibernate’ at home
Experiencing food cravings, especially for carbohydrate rich foods
Experiencing weight gain
Difficulty in maintaining concentration
Increased alcohol and drug use
Many people with SAD do not receive an accurate diagnosis of their condition and because of this goes untreated. People with untreated SAD are at increased risk of self medicating their symptoms of depression with alcohol and other drugs.
If you or anyone you know may suffer from Seasonal Alcoholism or Seasonal Affective Disorder please contact GenPsych for help at 1-855-GENPSYCH or click here to request an appointment.
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