Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

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What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that you experience during particular seasons or times of year. Depression is a low mood that lasts for a long time, and affects your everyday life.

If you have SAD, you'll experience depression during some seasons in particular, or because of certain types of weather.

"It's like having your own portable black cloud."

It's common to be affected by changing seasons and weather, or to have times of year when you feel more or less comfortable. For example, you might find that your mood or energy levels drop when it gets colder or warmer, or notice changes in your sleeping or eating patterns.

But if your feelings are interfering with your day to day life, it could be a sign that you have depression – and if they keep coming back at the same time of year, doctors might call this seasonal affective disorder or 'seasonal depression'.

"In the weeks before the clocks go back I start to feel sluggish and down, it's harder to keep to my morning routine of going out for a walk before breakfast because it's wet, cold and dark."

What are the symptoms of SAD?

If you have SAD, you might experience some of the signs and symptoms below. But it's different for different people, and can vary season to season, so you might also have other kinds of feelings which aren't listed here:

• lack of energy
• finding it hard to concentrate
• not wanting to see people
• sleep problems, such as sleeping more or less than usual, difficulty waking up, or difficulty falling or staying asleep
• feeling sad, low, tearful, guilty or hopeless
• changes in your appetite, for example feeling more hungry or wanting more snacks
• being more prone to physical health problems, such as colds, infections or other illnesses
• losing interest in sex or physical contact
• suicidal feelings
• other symptoms of depression.

If you also have other mental health problems, you might find that things get worse at times when you're affected by SAD.

"I just can't stay awake and the thought of having to go out, stay awake, make conversation. I just can't do it."

Sarah's story

Sarah explains how she developed seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and what it's like living with it day to day.

Read the transcript of the podcast here. Find out more about our podcasts or subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or Audioboom.

"I close the curtains in the evening and wish it was dark so I could go to bed early but it's broad daylight. I need to sleep and withdraw again from the world."

Experiences of facing stigma

Lots of people have heard of SAD and depression in general, but this doesn't mean that they understand what it's like or how you're affected. It doesn't mean you 'just feel a bit sad', and there are many factors that can cause depression - for some people it develops without there being a specific reason.

It can be frustrating and upsetting if people don't understand this, but it's important to remember that you are not alone.

See our page on stigma and misconceptions for lots of ideas on how to deal with stigma.

This information was published in February 2019. We will revise it in 2022.

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