Seasonal affective disorder can be really rough in NYC: How to handle the 'winter blues'

It’s getting colder. The trees are losing their leaves. The sun is setting before 5 p.m.

Winter is coming.

And for some New Yorkers, that means their SAD — seasonal affective disorder — is too. It’s a type of depression marked by significant mood changes tied to seasons, particularly the colder months of the year.

SAD symptoms can include persistent sad, anxious or “empty” moods for most of the day, feelings of hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It can also come with decreased energy, difficulty concentrating and changes in sleep or appetite, including oversleeping. Serious symptoms include thoughts of death or suicide and even suicide attempts.

Mental health experts say even people who aren’