I wake up, it’s dark. Soon the sun will rise just as I approach the office in the morning. I’ll get a fleeting glimpse of natural light as I leg it for my lunchtime sandwich and then when I get the bus home – it’s dark again.

Imagine my frustration then, when some of my colleagues seem to relish this time of year. “Ooh, I can’t wait for my first Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte of the winter” they cry with delight, and then rush off on frenzied trips to the shops to buy new scarves, boots and coats. Fools and idiots.

There is no point fighting it. Except for the ski holiday (or snowboard if you’re under 30) the next five months are part of life’s damage-limitation exercise.

To make matters more difficult, I have a suspicion that I suffer from PRSAD (Public Relations Seasonal Affective Disorder). Does anyone know whether HR will give me some time off for that?

Take this test to see if you’ve got PRSAD too:
1. You can’t get up in the morning. Surely it’s unnatural to rise before the sun? Unfortunately, PR bosses prefer those who get into the office first, they make no allowances for the dark and cold.

2. You don’t have anything to wear. Summer clothes are too flimsy. Winter clothes are too hot.

3. You can’t bear the commute to work. The trains and tubes are jam-packed. Why does NO ONE go on holiday now? Don’t they realise it’s cheaper? And who decided trains with no windows were such a great idea?

4. You’re ill. Work is mind-numbing enough when you’re well. And it’s even worse when your colleagues are ill, coughing all over you and acting like saints for coming into work despite having TB.

5. You hate Christmas advertising on TV. It’s cheesy and gives you zero propensity to buy. Shame it doesn’t have the same effect on the kids.

6. You don’t enjoy working on Christmas campaigns. Clients always want to take a boring traditional approach at this time of year, it is almost impossible to get a creative idea accepted.

7. You have less energy, but have to spend more hours in the office as there’s so much to do.

8. You yawn through the evening “drinkies” and events you are expected to attend. You just want to go home!