Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may have some of the same symptoms as other types of depression.

• Most people have only some of these symptoms, not all.
  
  
  • Depressed mood
  
  
  
  • Loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities
  
  
  
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  
  
  
  • Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
  
  
  
  • Poor concentration, indecisiveness
  
  
  
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
     
• The symptoms of SAD come back every year, and for any specific person, they tend to come and go at about the same time each year.



• Winter SAD
  
  
  • Sleeping more than usual
  
  
  
  • Craving for sugar, starchy foods, or alcohol
  
  
  
  • Weight gain
  
  
  
  • Irritability
  
  
  
  • Conflicts with other people
  
  
  
  • Heaviness of arms and legs
  
  
  
  • Behavior disturbances (in children)
     
• People with winter SAD may seek out light places or sunlight, or like to have lots of artificial lights on.



• Summer SAD
  
  
  • Insomnia
  
  
  
  • Poor appetite
  
  
  
  • Weight loss
  
  
  
  • Agitation
  
  
  
  • Anxiety