Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Symptoms
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Symptoms
If you have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you will usually have symptoms of depression during the winter when there is less daylight (October through April). Symptoms of SAD include:1
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Low energy and fatigue.
- Reduced interest in daily activities, especially social activities.
- Moodiness (depressed, sad, or unusually quiet).
- Increased appetite.
- Cravings for complex carbohydrates (such as pasta and bread).
- Weight gain.
- Increased sleep.
- Loss of interest in sex.
- Irritability.
People with SAD may either have symptoms of major depression or minor depression. Those with minor depression are considered to have subsyndromal SAD.
| Last updated: | August 08, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Alfred Lewy, MD, PhD - Psychiatry |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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