Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a condition in which a person feels depressed at a certain time each year. Most people experience SAD during the fall and winter months when days are shorter and there is less light.
The cause of SAD is not clearly known. It may be related to changes in the amount and intensity of sunlight in the different seasons. Seasonal affective disorder is sometimes called "the winter blues."
Treatment of SAD includes light therapy and, if necessary, medications.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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