Summary
SAD is a mood disorder related to the season or time of the year.
People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) have mood issues linked to a season or time of year. Most people with SAD have symptoms in late fall or early winter, but some have them in late spring or early summer.
Causes
SAD has to do with the effect of seasonal light change. Over the course of a year, the patterns and amount of available sunlight changes. This causes changes in people’s circadian rhythms, or “biological clocks.”
Melatonin has been linked to SAD. Melatonin is a hormone secreted in the brain that may be linked to low mood. More melatonin is made the more a person spends time in the dark.
Symptoms
- Decreased hunger, or more of a taste for sweets, carbs, or starches
- Weight loss or weight gain not due to other health reasons
- Sleeping more or sleeping less
- Feeling tired most of the day
- A drop in energy level
- A change in activity level
- Trouble thinking, focusing, or making choices
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
Treatment
- Light therapy
- Medications
- Counseling
Summary
SAD is a mood disorder related to the season or time of the year.
People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) have mood issues linked to a season or time of year. Most people with SAD have symptoms in late fall or early winter, but some have them in late spring or early summer.
Causes
SAD has to do with the effect of seasonal light change. Over the course of a year, the patterns and amount of available sunlight changes. This causes changes in people’s circadian rhythms, or “biological clocks.”
Melatonin has been linked to SAD. Melatonin is a hormone secreted in the brain that may be linked to low mood. More melatonin is made the more a person spends time in the dark.
Symptoms
- Decreased hunger, or more of a taste for sweets, carbs, or starches
- Weight loss or weight gain not due to other health reasons
- Sleeping more or sleeping less
- Feeling tired most of the day
- A drop in energy level
- A change in activity level
- Trouble thinking, focusing, or making choices
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
Treatment
- Light therapy
- Medications
- Counseling
Summary
SAD is a mood disorder related to the season or time of the year.
People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) have mood issues linked to a season or time of year. Most people with SAD have symptoms in late fall or early winter, but some have them in late spring or early summer.
Causes
SAD has to do with the effect of seasonal light change. Over the course of a year, the patterns and amount of available sunlight changes. This causes changes in people’s circadian rhythms, or “biological clocks.”
Melatonin has been linked to SAD. Melatonin is a hormone secreted in the brain that may be linked to low mood. More melatonin is made the more a person spends time in the dark.
Symptoms
- Decreased hunger, or more of a taste for sweets, carbs, or starches
- Weight loss or weight gain not due to other health reasons
- Sleeping more or sleeping less
- Feeling tired most of the day
- A drop in energy level
- A change in activity level
- Trouble thinking, focusing, or making choices
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
Treatment
- Light therapy
- Medications
- Counseling