Depression Health Center

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of SAD?

Some or all of the following symptoms are present during the fall and winter. Occasionally, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) occurs in summer, but with diminished, rather than increased, eating or sleeping symptoms.

• Depression, pessimism about the future.
• Lack of fun, difficulty enjoying life.
• Loss of energy, fatigue, inertia, apathy.
• Increased need for sleep, difficulty getting up in the morning.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Impaired functioning: difficulty getting to work on time; tasks that are normally easy seem impossible.
• Increased appetite, weight gain.
• Carbohydrate cravings.
• Desire to avoid people or to be alone.
• Irritability, crying spells.
• Decreased sex drive.
• Suicidal thoughts, feelings, or even attempts.

For children and adolescents:

• Feeling tired and irritable.
• Temper tantrums.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Vague physical complaints.
• Marked cravings for junk food.

Call Your Doctor About SAD If:

You or your child suffers from some of these symptoms with the onset of fall and winter and they seem to diminish or dissipate as spring and summer approach.