Many people complain of feeling down, having less energy, putting on a few pounds, and having difficulty getting up in the morning throughout the dark, short days of winter. People suffering from SAD experience these and other symptoms to such a degree that they feel unable to function normally. They often feel chronically depressed and fatigued, and want to withdraw from the world and to avoid social contacts.
Women frequently report worsening of premenstrual symptoms.
People with SAD suffer in the extreme the kinds of changes that many others experience to a much lesser degree in wintertime. Sleep duration, for example, may be normal, while carbohydrate craving may be extreme, or vice versa. Sometimes a symptom in the cluster is actually opposite the norm, such as insomnia as opposed to excessive sleep. A diagnosis of SAD requires a professional evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. If you think you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder and are interested in being evaluated for treatment by the Clinical Chronobiology Group, please follow the link below to receive our screening questionnaire.