by Bill Rutherford
According to NIMH, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression displaying a recurring seasonal pattern. To be diagnosed with SAD, people must meet full criteria for major depression coinciding with specific seasons (appearing in the winter or summer months) for at least two years. Seasonal depressions must be much more frequent than any non-seasonal depressions.
Symptoms of major depression:
- Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Having low energy
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Having problems with sleep
- Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide.
Symptoms of the winter pattern of SAD include:
- Having low energy
- Hypersomnia
- Overeating
- Weight gain
- Craving for carbohydrates
- Social withdrawal (feel like “hibernating”)
Read the complete article here: http://www.cdapress.com/food_and_health/20171213/william_rutherford_symptoms_of_seasonal_depression
and follow up, here: http://www.cdapress.com/food_and_health/20180110/william_rutherford_experience_with_sad
Bill Rutherford is the principal of NW Expeditionary Academy and a former mental health care professional.
