Heads up, everyone: The forecast for the rest of March is sunny with a chance of sadness. And while it does sound funny to be concerned about clear skies and the perfect, falsely perceived image of spring, seasonal depression is actually a real thing.

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Most people experience seasonal depression during the fall or winter, but it’s not uncommon to experience it during the spring.

My depressive episodes are incredibly sporadic, and it’s difficult to really say why. How do I tell people my mood solely relies on the weather without sounding like I’ve gone completely off the rails?

Melatonin, which is a sleep-related hormone located in the brain, has been linked to seasonal depression, according to a webpage about the disorder on the website of nonprofit organization Mental Health America.

The webpage states that melatonin affects sleep patterns and mood and is made at higher levels in the dark, which can result in some of the symptoms connected to seasonal depression.

With a couple of weeks leading up to spring and my mood gradually getting worse, I can already tell the rest of the month will suck. I’ve always been under the impression that the sun would bring out the best in me, but sometimes I guess that isn’t the case when it comes to depression.

As the seasons are bound to change just like our time did (curse daylight saving time), please be mindful of the people in your life who may be experiencing a depressive episode. While we can’t entirely bounce into the happier month of April just yet, know that people like me have a reason for constantly being sad and groaning about why March sucks.