SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder | Do you have it?

SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder | You need to know

It is estimated that roughly 6%of the U.S. Population may suffer from SAD, with an additional 14% suffering from subsyndromal SAD.  The incidence of SAD is greater as the latitude increases, ranging from 1.4% at Florida’s latitude to 10.2 % at the latitude of Minnesota’s geographical location. 

With such a high rate of incidence, it is likely that you know at least one person with SAD.  Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that they have SAD, and many others don’t realize that it is a treatable disorder. 

What clues should you be looking for?  How do I know if I have it?

Symptoms include:

• Change in appetite (especially a craving for sweet or starchy food).
• Weight gain
• Drop in energy level
• Reduction in sex drive
• Change in sleep / wake patterns (especially a tendency to oversleep).
• Reduction in the quality of sleep.
• Avoidance of social situations.
• Decreased concentration
• Decreased creativity
• Irritability
• Inability to complete tasks.

This is not a compete list of symptoms and it is important to note that not all SAD sufferers have the same set of symptoms.  SAD in children, for instance, tends to manifest itself in different ways from SAD in adults.  It is not uncommon for SAD to be misdiagnosed.  For instance, SAD in children may simply be dismissed as the usual emotional upheaval of adolescence.