What is SAD?

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that occurs at the same time each year after seasonal variations in light. The most common type occurs in the winter and ends in the spring. There is a less common summer form of SAD. Symptoms include increased sleep, food cravings, weight gains, boredom, apathy, irritability and disinterest in activities and people.

For more information

National Mental Health Association: www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm

Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, based in England: www.sada.org.uk

American Academy of Family Physicians: http://familydoctor.org/x1913.xml

The Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms: www.sltbr.org