The nasty grey blanket

For most people, late autumn just means a thicker coat. But for folk who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, it’s far worse.

SAD is a type of clinical depression that leads to anything from guilt, anxiety and lethargy to infection, loss of libido and obesity.

Sufferers look to the skies in early November, see an impenetrable grey blanket, and they’re filled with an awful sense of doom.

I suffer from SAD myself, but only in a mild form for which there’s an easy remedy: the SAD lamp that sits on my desk emitting refreshing bursts of UV light whenever I choose. It’s a God-send.

But it’s not just the cold, dark gloom that makes me reach for that wonderful bit of kit. It’s also the tendency, certainly in Britain, to go crazier than necessary in the run up to Christmas – starting, ridiculously, around now.

Earlier and sillier seasonal lights, more and wilder parties, millions spent on TV “specials”, ever-more irrational joy on New Year’s Eve. And London is already more manic than ever, with each passing moment bringing the Olympic party closer.

This seasonal orgy as darkness descends reminds me of the jittery feeling you get when drinking too much strong coffee the morning after a good party. The mix is too potent, making you (well, me at least) long for January’s normality.

So here’s my wish list for the remainder of 2011: celebration rather than misplaced exuberance; goodwill in place of greed; one bottle rather than two.

In short, a little moderation.