Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression related to the change of season. People who suffer from SAD notice symptoms beginning and ending at about the same times each year. For many, symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, though it is possible for SAD to occur in the spring or summer. The symptoms include feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day, losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, having low energy and feeling sluggish, having problems with sleeping too much, experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain, having difficulty concentrating, feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty, and having suicidal thoughts. The symptoms of depression start out mild and progress to be more severe as the weeks go on. Those who experience SAD in the winter have also noted symptoms such as heaviness in arms and legs, frequent oversleeping, cravings for carbohydrates/weight gain, and relationship problems.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the summer months is more common than you might think. Around 10% of individuals with SAD begin noticing the signs of depression in the summer months. The exact cause of SAD is still unclear, though experts have made a variety of hypotheses related to the cause of the disorder and why some experience more severe symptoms than others. It has been suggested that the effects of light, a disrupted body clock, low serotonin levels, high melatonin levels, traumatic life events, and even physical illness are connected to the onset of SAD.

Treatment plans for SAD may include medication, psychotherapy, light therapy, or a combination of these options to manage the depression symptoms. Talk therapy can be an invaluable option for those with SAD. A psychotherapist can help you identify patterns in negative thinking and behavior that impact depression, learn positive ways of coping with symptoms, and institute relaxation techniques that can help you restore lost energy. Harvard