'Winter blues': Recognising the signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder and ways to cope
Many people feel a little bit gloomy with the nights drawing in, but the NHS is urging people to seek help if it triggers a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
It is a condition directly linked to the onset of winter, which is thought to affect thousands of people across the South East.
GP Dr Nighat Arif says it's important to recognise the signs: "So excessive sleepiness, your mood really plummets, your ability to do simple tasks, your memory, brain fog.
"Also being able to have any joy or excitement in anything. Patients who have Seasonal Affective Disorder, find it difficult to exercise as well and they really do see the shift in the pattern between the seasons."
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder include:
a persistent low mood
a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
irritability
feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
craving carbohydrates and gaining weight
Furrah Syed is an artist who has suffered from SAD for a number of years.
She finds a release through her work and has learned to try and find positives in the onset of autumn and winter.
Furrah Syed said: "So I remember feeling a sense of anxiety. Those are the times when I felt a lot more stressful about it. I always try and enjoy the upsides of every season.
"So for instance, autumn, I do love the colours, I look in the sky because the sky has stunning cloud formations, and that's always a real boost."
Rosie Weatherley, from the mental health charity MIND, said: "One of the most helpful things you can do for yourself, if you are experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder, is to make sure that you are exposing yourself to natural light on a daily basis.
"Going for walks particularly around midday or on bright days can be really effective in helping manage symptoms, spending time in parks or gardens, or just take near a window that could all really help."
For those who may struggle with seasonal changes more than most, it is important to recognise you are not alone and to seek support.
The following charities can offer help and advice if you are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder: