Today I'm home and have been unable to rouse myself until now. It snowed a lot last night, and the streets and cars are covered. Generally, I love snow so staying abed can't be directly related to that. On the other hand, I do get more lethargic and depressed in cold, difficult weather.

When I tell people that, they always ask if I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. I tend to say no. To me, it just makes sense that my depression gets a bit worse when it's dark and cold and forbidding outside. I don't feel the need to saddle myself with another diagnosis code just because of a change that seems very natural to me. I think the bipolar gets worse, not that I develop another illness.

Now researchers at University of Rochester are trying to classify SAD as a subtype of major depression. Noting that the syndrome is underdiagnosed, they want to make the change so that more physicians will be on the lookout for it—and more likely to address it with light therapy.

I think instead of sitting here with a big light on my desk, I'm going to take a walk in the sun and snow. That'll probably do me some good.

[Photo by aricee via Flickr]