Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This is the time of year that we are so busy being merry and full of holiday cheer, but did you know that many of us may also experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? SAD is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall or early winter and going away during the spring and summer.
Signs and Symptoms
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression displaying a recurring seasonal pattern for at least 2 years.
Symptoms of Major Depression:
- Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Having low energy
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having problems with sleep
- Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms of the Winter Pattern of SAD include:
- Having low energy
- Hypersomnia
- Overeating
- Weight gain
- Craving for carbohydrates
- Social withdrawal (feel like “hibernating”)
Symptoms of the less frequently occurring Summer Pattern of SAD include:
- Poor appetite with associated weight loss
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Episodes of violent behavior