D E P R E S S I O N O R S E A S O N A L A F F E C T I V E D I S O R D E R ?

E V E R Y Y E A R , O V E R 1 0 M I L L I O N P E O P L E I N T H E U N I T E D S TAT E S

A R E D I A G N O S E D W I T H S E A S O N A L A F F E C T I V E

D I S O R D E R ( S A D )

W H O I S A F F E C T E D ?

• Seasonal Affective Disorder is most commonly experienced by residents of the Northeast

• Women are more likely to experience SAD than men

• It's difficult to determine if someone's sadness is depression or SAD

T H E F O L L O W I N G A R E S I G N S T H AT Y O U M I G H T B E

E X P E R I E N C I N G S E A S O N A L A F F E C T I V E D I S O R D E R :

• Seasonal Affective Disorder negatively affects melatonin levels

• Disrupted melatonin levels eventually disturb sleeping habits

1 . S L E E P I N G I N L AT E

2 . G E N E R A L A PAT H Y

• People affected by SAD tend to become closed off during the winter

• Work may suffer

• Individuals begin to withdraw from social circles

3 . C A R B O L O A D I N G

• People experiencing SAD consume more than their normal amount of carbohydrates

C R U C I A L D I S T I N C T I O N

• People who experience SAD usually feel fine during other months

• Once the cold months have passed, people experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder return to their normal personalities & emotions

• If the symptoms last longer than the winter months, a professional opinion should be sought.