According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is characterized by short periods of time when one may feel sad or not like their usual selves, which begin and end when the seasons change. Many people struggle with feeling down when the days get shorter during the fall months, which is often referred to as "winter blues" and then begin to feel better in the springtime when the days are longer. In some cases, these symptoms may be more severe and seriously affect the way a person feels, thinks, and navigates daily activities.
For winter-pattern SAD, additional specific symptoms may include:
- Oversleeping (hypersomnia)
- Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Social withdrawal (feeling like "hibernating")
Specific symptoms for summer-pattern SAD may include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Poor appetite, leading to weight loss
- Restlessness and agitation
- Anxiety
- Episodes of violent behavior
Major Depression is more severe than SAD and symptoms may include:
- Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Experiencing changes in appetite or weight
- Having problems sleeping
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Having low energy
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
For more information, visit the National Institute of Mental Health
