Seasonal affective disorder

Find a health topic using the A-Z index:

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Seasonal affective disorder

Definition

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs in relation to the seasons, most commonly beginning in winter.

Causes

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is marked by symptoms of depression profound enough to seriously affect work and relationships. The disorder may have its onset in adolescence or early adulthood and, like other forms of depression, occurs more frequently in women than in men. Most people with the "winter blahs" or "cabin fever" do not have SAD.

The cause of SAD is not known, but is thought to be related to numerous factors including body temperature, hormone regulation, and ambient light. A rare form occurs in the summer.

Symptoms

Depression with the onset of fall or winter
Lack of energy
Decreased interest in work or significant activities
Increased appetite with weight gain
Carbohydrate cravings
Increased sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness
Social withdrawal
Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement

Exams and Tests

A psychological evaluation rules out other causes for the symptoms and confirms the diagnosis.

Treatment

As with other types of depression, antidepressant medications and talk therapy can be effective. Light therapy using a special lamp to mimic the spectrum of light from the sun may also be helpful.

Symptoms commonly resolve on their own with the change of seasons.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is good with continuous treatment, although some people have the disorder throughout their lives.

Possible Complications

Seasonal affective disorder can sometimes progress to a major depressive syndrome.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

Prevention

Individuals who have suffered from recurrent seasonal depression should speak with a mental health care professional to explore preventive treatments.

Email to a Friend

Typical mistypes for Seasonal affective disorder
aeasonal affective, zeasonal affective, xeasonal affective, deasonal affective, eeasonal affective, weasonal affective, swasonal affective, ssasonal affective, sdasonal affective, srasonal affective, s4asonal affective, s3asonal affective, sezsonal affective, sessonal affective, sewsonal affective, seqsonal affective, seaaonal affective, seazonal affective, seaxonal affective, seadonal affective, seaeonal affective, seawonal affective, seasinal affective, seasknal affective, seaslnal affective, seaspnal affective, seas0nal affective, seas9nal affective, seasobal affective, seasomal affective, seasojal affective, seasohal affective, seasonzl affective, seasonsl affective, seasonwl affective, seasonql affective, seasonak affective, seasonap affective, seasonao affective, seasonal zffective, seasonal sffective, seasonal wffective, seasonal qffective, seasonal adfective, seasonal acfective, seasonal avfective, seasonal agfective, seasonal atfective, seasonal arfective, seasonal afdective, seasonal afcective, seasonal afvective, seasonal afgective, seasonal aftective, seasonal afrective, seasonal affwctive, seasonal affsctive, seasonal affdctive, seasonal affrctive, seasonal aff4ctive, seasonal aff3ctive, seasonal affextive, seasonal affevtive, seasonal affeftive, seasonal affedtive, seasonal affecrive, seasonal affecfive, seasonal affecgive, seasonal affecyive, seasonal affec6ive, seasonal affec5ive, seasonal affectuve, seasonal affectjve, seasonal affectkve, seasonal affectove, seasonal affect9ve, seasonal affect8ve, seasonal affectice, seasonal affectibe, seasonal affectige, seasonal affectife, seasonal affectivw, seasonal affectivs, seasonal affectivd, seasonal affectivr, seasonal affectiv4, seasonal affectiv3, easonal affective, sasonal affective, sesonal affective, seaonal affective, seasnal affective, seasoal affective, seasonl affective, seasona affective, seasonalaffective, seasonal ffective, seasonal afective, seasonal afective, seasonal affctive, seasonal affetive, seasonal affecive, seasonal affectve, seasonal affectie, seasonal affectiv, esasonal affective, saesonal affective, sesaonal affective, seaosnal affective, seasnoal affective, seasoanl affective, seasonla affective, seasona laffective, seasonala ffective, seasonal fafective, seasonal afefctive, seasonal affcetive, seasonal affetcive, seasonal affecitve, seasonal affectvie, seasonal affectiev, sseasonal affective, seeasonal affective, seaasonal affective, seassonal affective, seasoonal affective, seasonnal affective, seasonaal affective, seasonall affective, seasonal affective, seasonal aaffective, seasonal afffective, seasonal afffective, seasonal affeective, seasonal affecctive, seasonal affecttive, seasonal affectiive, seasonal affectivve, seasonal affectivee, etc.