For some, the winter isnt just a chilly season. It can be a brutal time for a persons mental health .

Seasonal affective disorder is a condition that affects half a million American adults and can make a few months out of the year feel downright unbearable. Its common to feel bouts of the winter blues (in fact, about 10 to 20 percent of people in the U.S. experience them, according to the Cleveland Clinic), but those with seasonal depression may experience symptoms and low moods that sometimes make everyday tasks feel impossible.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind about seasonal affective disorder, its treatment options and how it affects peoples daily lives.

1. The underlying cause of SAD isnt just bad weather.