Feeling sad this fall? How Seasonal Affective Disorder can impact health

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - With the end of Daylight Saving Time, many people in Central Illinois are driving home from work in darkness. With decreasing sunlight and temperatures, many people are feeling the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. "Seasonal affective disorder is a pattern of mood changes that people experience usually in two different seasons," said Barbara Wheatley, lead clinician for the Memorial Behavioral Health mobile crisis response team. "There are significant mood changes for the seasonal affective disorder pattern that happens in the winter." Wheatley explained that SAD symptoms include a persistent sad feeling, irritability, loss of interest in hobbies, fatigue and changes in appetite. While most mammals hibernate, humans don't. Wheatley said SAD