Pumpkin Spice & a Side of SAD
October 2025 Message of the Month
Pumpkin spice lattes, cozy sweaters, and crisp air — fall is often painted as a season of comfort. But for many, October brings more than just colorful leaves. As daylight hours shrink, temperatures drop, and routines change, our mental health can feel the shift too.
Season Affective Disorder (SAD) affects roughly 5 percent of the population but four out of 5 of these people are women. A huge misconception is that SAD is simply just the “winter blues” and is not a big deal. But the reality is that it impacts how a person feels, thinks, and behaves for a significant part of the year.
Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between depression and seasonal depression but there are subtle differences. Symptoms of SAD may include typical depression signs like feeling hopeless, restless, and helpless but add on increased appetite, excessive sleeping patterns, and weight gain. Most of the time, SAD is diagnosed after two consecutive occurrences of depression that begin and end at the same time each year and subside after the season.
Why does this happen? One main contributing factor is the reduced level of sunlight, which in turn lowers our serotonin levels. Also, melatonin levels increase production in lower light. This combination results in the symptoms of this disorder.
If you anticipate feeling down during the fall season, beginning treatment early can help. Incorporate daily morning walks to get the Vitamin D your body needs. Eat a healthy diet, stay connected to family and friends, establish regular sleep patterns, and practice meditation or deep breathing.
Plan activities in advance so that you have something to look forward to and won’t hibernate instead. Find a friend who relates to your feelings and encourage each other to take steps to help deal with this season of life.
Reach out to your health care provider to ask for a recommendation for a light therapy box or review our Provider Guides to find a counselor or therapist.
Feeling hopeless for months at a time isn’t something you have to simply deal with. Let’s order that latte with a side of hope instead.
