Summers are remembered as times of high energy with the individual being more outgoing and needing less sleep, or just feeling motivated and interested in life. Winter is dreaded, and warm sunshine longed for, since it brings hope and power. I have noticed many of my patients with depression, although not clinically diagnosed with SAD, experience worsening of their symptoms during the winter, especially during prolonged gray, rainy periods. Symptoms of their depressive illness are worsened by decreased daylight. SAD differs from winter blues in severity.
Significant depression lasts more than two weeks in winter.
These individuals frequently will have consulted with a physician or therapist regarding seasonal change. Those with winter blues experience much milder changes and have minimal difficulties in functioning, even though they may notice seasonal decreases in mood and energy. For example, someone with winter blues who moves from a sunny winter climate to the northern latitudes with less daylight and more gray days may develop a true seasonal depressive disorder. Affected Population Women seem to be more vulnerable to SAD, with the ratio of incidence averaging three to four women of reproductive years to one man. The childbearing years are important in that they dovetail with the peak age of onset, which is between 20 and 40.