Symptoms

If you have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you will usually have symptoms of depression during the winter when there is less daylight (October through April). Symptoms of SAD include:¹

• Difficulty concentrating.
• Low energy and fatigue.
• Reduced interest in daily activities, especially social activities.
• Moodiness (depressed, sad, or unusually quiet).
• Increased appetite.
• Cravings for complex carbohydrates (such as pasta and bread).
• Weight gain.
• Increased sleep.
• Loss of interest in sex.
• Irritability.

People with SAD may either have symptoms of major depression or minor depression. Those with minor depression are considered to have subsyndromal SAD.