Popular television doctor Amir Khan has received an outpouring of support from his followers after candidly sharing his struggle with the physical and mental toll of the UK's dark winter months.
Doctor's Candid Confession on Social Media
The well-known medic, who has built a large audience through regular TV appearances and social media updates, took to his platform to express how the season was affecting him. He highlighted the particularly short daylight hours, which in London currently span just over eight hours between sunrise and sunset.
"Guys, is anyone else just completely knackered?" Dr Khan asked his followers. "Honestly, this winter is messing with my circadian rhythm. We're not supposed to come to work in the dark and go home in the dark."
He humorously contrasted human obligations with animal behaviour, noting that creatures either hibernate or migrate to cope. "I mean, animals know that's not the case. They certainly don't have to work and answer emails and all of that stuff," he said.
Dr Khan, referencing his own heritage, added, "And also, it's so cold, and my ancestry is not designed for this. I'm a brown person. I am built for the tropics... I'm not built for ice and mammoths and big woolly coats." He concluded his heartfelt post by stating, "Oh, I am not built for this. Honestly, I'm so tired."
Fans Rally with Shared Experiences
The doctor's admission resonated deeply with his audience, prompting a flood of empathetic responses. One supporter echoed his sentiment about the long evenings, writing, "Meeeeeee! I was still at work at 6.30pm and it felt like it was midnight! Roll on spring."
Another fan whimsically agreed, stating, "I always think I'd like to be more hedgehog during winter, and just wake up in the Spring after a lovely sleep!" A third simply affirmed, "You’re so sweet Dr.Amir and right. We should work during the day light."
One thoughtful response proposed a theory about human evolution and modern society: "My theory is that we’re designed to ‘hibernate’. We would have worked throughout the longer daylight hours in the summer, and in the shorter winter days, resting more when it was dark... I’m not sure our bodies have kept up with the way society has changed."
The Link to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Dr Khan's experience touches on a well-documented condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most commonly arising in the winter. According to the NHS, symptoms can include:
- A persistent low mood and a loss of interest in usual activities.
- Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating and increased fatigue.
- Changes in appetite, often craving more carbohydrates.
- Sleeping for longer than normal.
The health service notes that the main symptom is depression that appears during the winter and lifts in the spring or summer. Recommended treatments can include antidepressants, talking therapies, and light therapy.
The NHS advises anyone who believes they may have SAD, or whose diagnosed condition is not improving with treatment, to consult their GP. Adults can also self-refer to NHS talking therapies services in many areas without needing a GP appointment first.
By sharing his personal battle with winter fatigue, Dr Amir Khan has inadvertently shone a light on a common seasonal struggle, fostering a community conversation about mental health and the very human need for sunlight and rest.
