7 Healthcast: Rainy day blues

More wet and gloomy weather.

"It's been so cold and horrible, I can't wait for summer to start."

"It's terrible, am waiting for global warming to kick in!"

"It's awful, this is the worst it's been in years!"

And people are fed up with the forecast!

Dr. Guy Maytal/MGH Department of Psychiatry

"In the wintertime you kind of expect it to be gray, so we've developed, especially in New England strategies to cope, but in spring and summer when its gray and raining its really frustrating."

Some doctors say more than 20 percent of people in New England suffer from S.A.D.--seasonal affective disorder.

Dr. Guy Maytal/MGH Department of Psychiatry
"Seasonal affective disorder is a syndrome where people have low moods or even depressed moods during winter when hours of daylight are shorter."

And it can lead to depression.

Dr. Guy Maytal/MGH Department of Psychiatry
"When you're depressed your less likely to be active, less likely to exercise, more likely to eat high fat sugary food, so that obviously has an impact on your well being you less physically fit and feeling less well."

The weather can be a detriment other ways too, especially if you're a meteorologist here in the hub.

Pete Bouchard, 7NEWS Meteorologist
"I haven't had any death threats yet, but it's been close to fisticuffs, it's mostly an issue where people are fed up with what's going on and they want some relief."

Doctors say the key is to keep active.

Dr. Guy Maytal/MGH Department of Psychiatry
"In terms of practical things you can do , even if you don't like it , whatever it is you like to do outside, go outside because its still sunny pretty late -exercise is great , continue to engage in habits."

And stay positive.

Pete Bouchard, 7NEWS Meteorologist
"This can't last forever. There's two thirds of summer left, so there's a lot of hope out there, and that's all we have."

Seasonal affectiveness disorder is a serious illness if it is not treated. So always consult your physician.

(Copyright (c) 2009 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)