Signs and Symptoms of SAD

There are actually two kinds of Seasonal Affective Disorder: Fall and Winter SAD & Spring and Summer SAD.

I suffer from Fall and Winter SAD.

I've never met anyone who suffers from Spring and Summer SAD. Since these are my favorite seasons, it's hard for me to relate but it's a real problem with real consequences.

According the the Mayo Clinic website, the signs and symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder may include:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy
• Having problems with sleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

In addition, people with Fall and Winter SAD may experience:

• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Tiredness or low energy

Spring and Summer SAD may include:

• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Agitation or anxiety

Since I have pretty severe Fall and Winter SAD, I have experienced all of these signs and symptoms at some point. Most of them all winter long.

Luckily, it's turning spring-like across the country and symptoms of Fall and Winter SAD are starting to lessen. Unfortunately, they may be ramping up for Spring and Summer SAD sufferers.

If you can identify with having SAD, it might be time to get some help and figure out what you can do to make life easier for yourself.

On this blog, I'll discuss the things I found that help me make it through winter with SAD.

Thanks for stopping by! And I hope this helps.