Seasonal Affective Disorder is an often overlooked condition because people tend to think that it makes sense to be down during the stressful, cold holidays. While holiday misery is never far off for those of us who have to interact with other human beings on a daily basis, SAD is something different altogether and people are becoming increasingly aware of its prevalence. A different type of depression that follows a seasonal cycle, SAD has two different sets of characteristics:

Winter depression

• Depression
• Hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Loss of energy
• Social withdrawal
• Oversleeping
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating and processing information

Summer depression

• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Increased sex drive

There is also another form called Reverse SAD which is a form of bipolar disorder, characterized by mania including persistent elevated mood, hyperactivity, increased social interaction, and inappropriate enthusiasm.

Risk factors for SAD include a family history, living far from the equator, and being female (although men who have SAD sometimes demonstrate more severe symptoms).  Interestingly, it has been theorized that SAD may actually be an evolutionary tool to conserve energy during the winter and encourage the procreation cycle to produce offspring in the early spring.

Treatment options for SAD is concentrated in three areas.  Phototherapy – light therapy – mimics natural light in order to change your brain chemistry, thereby affecting your mood.  Another treatment option is seasonal medication, typically antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Prozac, and Zoloft.  Finally, psychotherapy is commonly used to modify thoughts and behaviors which enhance or encourage SAD, as well as to help people find ways to cope with the depression.

If you have experience with SAD or would like more information on this topic, please leave a comment below.

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Source: The Mayo Clinic