www.BeTreatedWell.com
Symptom Screener
Seasonal Affective Disorder (Seasonal Depression) shares symptoms common to other types of depression.
Symptoms may include:
For more than 2 months either…
Depressed, sad, empty or irritable mood, or
Lack of interest in activities or relationships
And several additional complaints such as…
Feeling worthless or guilty
Fatigue or loss of energy
Difficulty with concentration, memory or decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
Change in sleep
Change in appetite, weight
For a total of at least five of the above.
In many types of depression, appetite may increase or decrease and weight may increase or decrease.
But, in Seasonal depression, appetite and weight would increase (not decrease) and there would also be a
marked craving for sweets and carbohydrates.
In many types of depression, there may be insomnia or interrupted sleep.
In Seasonal Depression there is usually a desire to sleep more and difficulty staying awake.
There may also be a weakened immune system and vulnerability to infections.
In a Seasonal Depression, the symptoms have occurred and remitted seasonally for at least two years, and
not due to situational factors such as unemployment.
The following checklist summarizes the factors which differentiate a Depression and a Seasonal Depression.
Symptom Depression SAD
Appetite/Weight Decrease maybe no
Appetite/Weight Increase maybe yes
Insomnia maybe no
Sleepiness maybe yes
Carb cravings no yes
Seasonal two times no yes
*Substance abuse, other types of mental health problems and physical health conditions such as hypothyroidism
may mimic depression. Accurate diagnosis is crucial.
Symptom Screener
Seasonal Affective Disorder (Seasonal Depression) shares symptoms common to other types of depression.
Symptoms may include:
For more than 2 months either…
Depressed, sad, empty or irritable mood, or
Lack of interest in activities or relationships
And several additional complaints such as…
Feeling worthless or guilty
Fatigue or loss of energy
Difficulty with concentration, memory or decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
Change in sleep
Change in appetite, weight
For a total of at least five of the above.
In many types of depression, appetite may increase or decrease and weight may increase or decrease.
But, in Seasonal depression, appetite and weight would increase (not decrease) and there would also be a
marked craving for sweets and carbohydrates.
In many types of depression, there may be insomnia or interrupted sleep.
In Seasonal Depression there is usually a desire to sleep more and difficulty staying awake.
There may also be a weakened immune system and vulnerability to infections.
In a Seasonal Depression, the symptoms have occurred and remitted seasonally for at least two years, and
not due to situational factors such as unemployment.
The following checklist summarizes the factors which differentiate a Depression and a Seasonal Depression.
Symptom Depression SAD
Appetite/Weight Decrease maybe no
Appetite/Weight Increase maybe yes
Insomnia maybe no
Sleepiness maybe yes
Carb cravings no yes
Seasonal two times no yes
*Substance abuse, other types of mental health problems and physical health conditions such as hypothyroidism
may mimic depression. Accurate diagnosis is crucial.
Antonia Caretto, Ph.D., PLLC
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www.BeTreatedWell.com
phone: 248.553.9053
phone: 248.553.9053