Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): What is SAD?
By: Julissa Acebo
Do you ever feel down, or not like your usual self during the shorter days in the fall and winter, and then begin to feel better in the spring and summer with longer daylight hours? This can be a sign of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression. So what exactly is SAD? According to Mayo Clinic, it is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs in climates where there is less sunlight at certain times of the year. These mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. This can affect the way you think, feel, and handle daily activities.
Winter-Pattern SAD or Winter Depression
- More common
- Symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer
- Symptoms include oversleeping, overeating, weight gain, and social withdrawal
Summer-Pattern SAD or Summer Depression
- Less common
- Depressive episodes during the spring and summer months
- Symptoms include trouble sleeping, poor appetite, anxiety, and episodes of violent behavior
If you or someone you know is experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com
Sources:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
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