What are the signs and symptoms of SAD?
SAD is not considered a separate disorder but is a type of depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months per year. Therefore, the signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with major depression, and some specific symptoms that differ for winter-pattern and summer-pattern SAD. Not every person with SAD will experience all of the symptoms listed below.
Symptoms of major depression 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 with sleep
● Feeling sluggish or agitated
● Having low energy
● Feeling hopeless or worthless
● Having difficulty concentrating
● Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
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 (insomnia)
● Poor appetite, leading to weight loss
● Restlessness and agitation ● Anxiety
● Episodes of violent behavior
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder/20-mh-8138-sad.pdf
