Is it really just the autumn blues?
"I think the fall is getting to me." That's what a friend told me on the phone recently. "You're middle-aged now, and suddenly you're getting the autumn blues?" I said jokingly. He laughed awkwardly, then began telling me about his life lately. Seeing the darkening sky on his way home from work drains his energy. Once home, he lies on the couch and does nothing. Even after sleeping in on…
A friend recently confided to me during a phone call that the fall season seems to be affecting them. Middle-aged individuals may be particularly susceptible to what has been dubbed the "autumn blues." One such individual shared how the darkening sky on his commute home drains his energy and leaves him feeling lethargic even after a weekend of sleep.
His habit of reaching for bread and snacks after dinner also seemed to be a recurring pattern. The Korean expression "gaeul tada," meaning "to be affected by autumn," carries a romantic tone, but persistent sadness, loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, and lethargy are far from romantic autumn melancholy. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), as defined by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, is a type of depression characterized by these symptoms.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Is it really just the autumn blues? koreatimes.co.kr
