Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that commonly appears during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter, often causing symptoms like fatigue, irritability, social withdrawal, and a decreased interest in activities due to reduced sunlight exposure. Key points about SAD:
- Seasonal pattern: The primary characteristic of SAD is that symptoms consistently appear during specific seasons, usually worsening in the fall and winter and improving in spring and summer.
- Sunlight connection: Reduced sunlight exposure during the colder months is believed to disrupt the body’s internal circadian rhythm, potentially leading to imbalances in hormones like melatonin and serotonin which affect mood.
