Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that you experience during particular seasons or times of year. Depression is a low mood that lasts for a long time, and can affect your everyday life.
With SAD, you'll experience depression during some seasons in particular, or because of certain types of weather or temperature. You can experience it in winter or summer.
It's common to be affected by changing seasons and weather, or to have times of year when you feel more or less comfortable. For example, you might find that your mood or energy levels drop when it gets colder or warmer, or notice changes in your sleeping or eating patterns.
But if your feelings are interfering with your everyday life, it could be a sign that you have depression. And if they keep coming back at the same time of year, doctors might call this seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or 'seasonal depression'.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
If you have SAD, you might experience some of the signs and symptoms below. But it's different for different people, and can vary season to season, so you might also have other kinds of feelings which aren't listed here:
Lack of energy
Difficulty concentrating
Not wanting to see people
Feeling sad, low, tearful, guilty or hopeless
Feeling anxious, angry and agitated
Being more prone to physical health problems, such as colds, infections or other illnesses
Sleeping too much, or difficulty waking up (common with SAD in winter)
Sleeping too little, or waking up a lot (common with SAD in summer)
Changes in your appetite, for example feeling hungrier or not wanting to eat
Losing interest in sex or physical contact
Suicidal feelings
If you also have other mental health problems, you might find that things get worse at times when you're affected by SAD.
Lots of people have heard of SAD, but this doesn't mean that they understand what it's like or how you're affected. It doesn't mean you 'just feel a bit low in winter'. There are many factors that can cause it or make it worse, and it can affect your life just as much as other types of depression.
It can be frustrating and upsetting if people don't understand this, but it's important to remember that you are not alone. When you're living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, having access to the right information and resources is vital. Comprehensive Family Care has the help you need! Call us or visit us online today for more information.
Resources:
“What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?” Mind, Apr. 2022, www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/about-sad/.
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