Cindy’s alarm goes off. It’s still dark outside. The news says it’s going to be a cloudy, cold day AGAIN. “Winter blues- yuck! I hate January. I don’t want to go to work, even though it is a Friday and I have the weekend to look forward to.” Somehow she drags herself out of bed at the very last second without causing herself to be too late for work. Cindy puts on her clothes, which are too tight. “Ugh. Why don’t these pants fit? I just got these for Christmas.” She finds her way through her dark house and makes coffee and a bagel.  As she drives to work on this gray day, she struggles to pay attention. She is easily overwhelmed about the meetings she has today that she has procrastinated doing anything for. “I’m sure the boss will lecture me on this one again. Dang it Cindy- why can’t you just get stuff done.” As Cindy goes through her day at work, she wonders why she is so exhausted even though she got 10 hours of sleep last night. Her day ends and a co-worker asks her to grab a drink. Cindy says, “No I just don’t have the energy or desire to. I think I’ll go home, lay on the couch, and polish off a half gallon of ice cream.” Her friend sounds disappointed when she says, “Geez, Cindy. You haven’t been out for months. What’s going on?” Cindy shrugs her shoulders, and mumbles an excuse, promising her friend she will go next time- just like she has the past 3 weeks. Cindy drives herself home in the dark. Once she gets home, she falls asleep on the couch, and didn’t get anything done she needed to.

If you’ve ever had a day like Cindy, you might be struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Stay tuned this week as Imagine Hope helps you understand this condition and gives you tips to deal with it.

Written by Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW

Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW is a licensed therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Teri enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, couples and relationship counseling. Teri also does family counseling, child counseling, and adolescent counseling.  Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area, including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, and Westfield.