The Observer Counsellors are seeing record numbers of sufferers from seasonally affective disorder as winter arrives after one of the shortest summers in living memory. Not seeing the sun for human beings is a very distressing experience.
Darkness can be just as damaging to human beings as solitary confinement.
For some, not seeing enough sun is a very distressing experience. Summer started later this year than for almost a decade. Although August saw some warm weather, parts of Britain were hit by tornadoes and rainstorms during what most people expect to be the hottest month of the year. In the winter months SAD sufferers have food cravings and tend to binge. They often sleep more than usual but don't feel refreshed.