THIS TIME OF YEAR IS OFTEN FILLED WITH CELEBRATIONS, FAMILY TIME AND FUN, BUT FOR SOME, IT'S AS STRUGGLE AS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER TAKES HOLD. 

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH, SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER OR "SAD" IS A TYPE OF DEPRESSION. SYMPTOMS IN THE WINTER INCLUDE SLEEPING MORE THAN USUAL, WITHDRAWING FROM SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND OVEREATING. SENATOR KARINA VILLA OF WEST CHICAGO SAYS THIS IS SOMETHING SHE EXPERIENCES.

SYMPTOMS OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER OR "SAD" MAY INCLUDE SLEEPING AND EATING MORE, HIBERNATING AT HOME AND WEIGHT GAIN. SENATOR KARINA VILLA OF WEST CHICAGO SAYS SHE BATTLES SAD BY TAKING WALKS, EXERCISING AND GETTING AS MUCH SUNLIGHT AS POSSIBLE.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH, SAD OCCURS MUCH MORE OFTEN IN WOMEN THAN MEN, AND IS MORE COMMON IN NORTHERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE IT'S COLDER AND DAYLIGHT HOURS ARE SHORTER. THOSE ALREADY SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION OR BIPOLAR DISORDER ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE.