Mayo Q&A: Seasonal affective disorder is more than feeling sad

By Mayo Clinic News Network, Mayo Clinic News Network

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I love the fall, but I dread the shorter days and how I feel. I’ve read about seasonal affective disorder, but could you please tell me more about it?

ANSWER: Seasonal affective disorder , or SAD, is a type of depression that’s related to the changes in seasons. Symptoms typically appear in the fall, worsen through the winter months and eventually go away in the spring or summer. The answers to these questions should help you better understand SAD and determine if you should seek care.

What are the possible causes of SAD?

While the exact cause is unknown, it may be linked to reduced sunlight, which reacts with the natural chemicals in your body, like serotonin and melatonin , that determine mood and energy