For many, this is the most wonderful time of the year. For others… not so much. While many associate November and December with happy memories and beloved traditions, there are plenty of people that find the holiday season a big downer. But it isn’t the cold weather that gets these people down; it’s actually a diagnosable mood disorder known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” SAD, as its appropriately known, causes the affected to become depressed around this time of the year. Unfortunately, as is often the case with depression, the feelings you can’t shake can often creep into other aspects of your life, including your love life.
Experts believe that SAD is tied the lack of sunlight associated with this time of year. As the sun begins to appear less and less, the body increases the production of the body chemical melatonin, which regulates your sleep cycle and can cause symptoms of depression. When the melatonin levels within the body are in flux, your body will struggle to focus on completing other tasks, including producing an erection.
Depression can hold sway over the brain, causing other important signals to get lost in the rabble. The erection is dependent upon the brain giving it the word on just when its time to get to work. If SAD is directing your thoughts elsewhere, these signals get missed, your erection doesn’t get directions to spring to life, and you find yourself wondering why you can’t achieve an erection.
So, yes, SAD-associated ED is very real. Speak to a mental health expert about how SAD is affecting other aspects of your life, and together you can work up a solution to make sure your love life doesn’t get affected by your feelings for these next couple of months.