The disorder may begin in adolescence or early adulthood. Like other forms of depression, it 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 it is thought to be related to numerous factors, including:
Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
Carbohydrate cravings
Decreased interest in work or other activities
Depression that starts in fall or winter
Increased appetite with weight gain
Increased sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness
Lack of energy
Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
Social withdrawal
Signs and tests
A visit to your health care provider will look for other causes of the symptoms and confirm the diagnosis. A psychological evaluation may be needed for more severe depression.
See also: Depression
Treatment
As with other types of depression, antidepressant medications and talk therapy can be effective. Light therapy using a special lamp to mimic light from the sun may also be helpful.
Symptoms commonly get better on their own with the change of seasons.
Expectations (prognosis)
The outcome is good with continuous treatment, although some people have the disorder throughout their lives.
Complications
Seasonal affective disorder can sometimes progress to a major depressive syndrome.
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
Prevention
Individuals who have had recurrent seasonal depression should speak with a mental health care professional to explore treatments.
Depression (4 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods.True clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or...Reviewer: Paul Ballas, DO, Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/20/2009
Panic disorder
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes repeated, unexpected attacks of intense fear. These attacks may last from minutes to hours.Reviewer: Christos Ballas, MD. Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/15/2009
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is a condition in which a person is preoccupied with rules, orderliness, and control.This disorder tends to occur in families, so genes may be involved. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder most often...Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Timothy A. Rogge, MD, private practice in Psychiatry, Kirkland, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/17/2008
Schizophrenia (1 image)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations.Schizophrenia is a complex i...Reviewer: Christos Ballas, MD, Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/06/2008
Anorexia nervosa (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves limiting the amount of food a person eats. It results in starvation and an inability to stay at the minimum body weight considered healthy for the person''s age and height.Persons with this disor...Reviewer: Paul Ballas, DO, Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/20/2009
Bulimia (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Bulimia is an illness in which a person binges on food or has regular episodes of significant overeating and feels a loss of control. The affected person then uses various methods-- such as vomiting or laxative abuse-- to prevent weight gain.Many(...Reviewer: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 01/15/2009
Autism
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(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain''s normal development of social and communication skills.Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. The e...Reviewer: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/12/2009
Major depression with psychotic features (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Major depression with psychotic features is a condition in which a person experiences depression along with reduced contact with reality(psychosis). This can take the form of false beliefs(delusions) or seeing or hearing something that isn''t reall...Reviewer: Christos Ballas, MD, Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/15/2009
Generalized anxiety disorder (1 image)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Generalized anxiety disorder(GAD) is a pattern of frequent, constant worry and anxiety over many different activities and events.Generalized anxiety disorder(GAD) is a common condition. The cause of GAD is not known, but biological and psychologic...Reviewer: Christos Ballas, MD, Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/15/2009
Panic disorder with agoraphobia (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Panic disorder with agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which there are repeated attacks of intense fear and anxiety, and a fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, or where help might not be available in case of a panic attack.T...Reviewer: Christos Ballas, MD, Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/06/2008
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