Published on November 5th 2024
Written by Jesse Driessen
Approximately 15 million Americans are thought to experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), though many may not realize they have this common condition.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is more frequently found in people with existing mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder, particularly bipolar II, which involves cycles of depressive episodes and milder hypomanic episodes. People with SAD may also have co-occurring mental health conditions, including ADHD, eating disorders, anxiety, or panic disorders.
SAD is significantly more common in women than in men, and the winter pattern of SAD is more prevalent than the summer pattern. As a result, people living in northern regions with shorter winter days, like Alaska or New England, are more likely to develop SAD compared to those in southern states like Texas or Florida.
SAD can run in families and may be more common among those with relatives who have other mental health conditions, such as depression or schizophrenia.
As a team of people who belong to the chronic illness community, we’re especially interested in understanding more about the intersection and relationship between SAD, Depression, and other mental health conditions and disorders.
To learn more about SAD and Depression, we reached out to our community to share some information about their experiences with SAD. Specifically, how it affects existing mental health issues including depression, the level of support they receive for SAD, and how they manage SAD symptoms each year.
We collected this feedback about SAD & Mental Health using a survey that we shared with our online communities on Reddit & Discord. You can view the anonymous raw data from our 30 respondents here. 100% of respondents live with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Respondents had an average of 3 mental health conditions in addition to SAD. 80% live with Anxiety, 60% live with Depression, and 40% live with CPTSD.
Whilst the response to this survey might not be considered a representative sample size for quantitative research, we felt it was important to share the experiences of people living with SAD, Depression, and other mental health issues.
We want to share information from people living with SAD & Depression specifically because there’s limited information available online about people living with SAD in combination with Depression, and other Mental health conditions and disorders. However, we’ve also made an effort to only refer to medically verified sources, research, and publications elsewhere in this article.
97% of people reported that SAD disrupts how they manage their mental health either moderately or very much. 12% of people reported that it disrupted how they manage their mental health very much. 0% of people said that it had no impact on how they manage their existing mental health conditions or disorder.
Based on our survey, people with seasonal affective disorder and at least one other mental health condition appear to feel somewhat supported by people within their community. This most often tended to come from friends or family with much less support from employers and some support from healthcare providers.
This question had the biggest spread of responses from our community. Possibly suggesting that the management of SAD may be somewhat individualised. That is, what works for one person may not work as well for another. However, this could also be due to the type of SAD treatment available to people in different locations.
On average, people listed 3 things that helped with managing SAD symptoms. Possibly suggesting that a single method may not be sufficient for tackling SAD and Depression (or SAD and other mental health conditions). The three most commonly recommended treatments were changes in Sleep and Exercise habits.
SAD doesn’t only affect people in the winter. In fact, about 10% of people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) experience it in reverse. For these individuals, summertime is what triggers their depression symptoms. This was reflected in the messages shared as part of our SAD & Depression survey:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) both share core symptoms of depression, but they exhibit distinct differences in timing, behavioral impacts, and treatment responses. SAD is a form of depression that’s seasonal, usually appearing in late fall or early winter and improving by spring or summer. In contrast, MDD can occur at any time of year and is generally more consistent without clear seasonal patterns. This seasonal aspect is a primary diagnostic factor for SAD, as noted by organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
For those with SAD, symptoms align more closely with hibernation behaviours. People with SAD often feel overwhelmingly fatigued, leading to increased sleep and difficulty waking up. This excessive sleep, often known as hypersomnia, is specific to SAD and differs from MDD, where insomnia or early waking is more common. Furthermore, SAD often involves a marked increase in appetite, especially for carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain over the winter months. This carbohydrate craving is linked to serotonin production, which can affect mood and energy levels when reduced sunlight exposure decreases serotonin availability
Social withdrawal is common in both SAD and MDD, but it tends to be stronger in those with SAD. People with SAD may avoid social activities partly due to winter weather and limited sunlight, which can lower mood. In MDD, social withdrawal can happen year-round, without the seasonal context, and often aligns with feelings of worthlessness and persistent low energy. This sense of isolation in SAD is compounded by reduced daylight and colder temperatures, which discourage outdoor activities, further deepening feelings of loneliness and fatigue.
One of the most distinctive treatments for SAD is light therapy. Exposure to bright, artificial light can improve SAD symptoms significantly by simulating natural sunlight, which is often lacking in the winter months. Light therapy has been shown to be effective in around 60-80% of SAD cases, while it is not typically a first-line treatment for non-seasonal depression. Although light therapy can sometimes benefit MDD patients, it is generally less effective as a standalone treatment and is not as frequently recommended for MDD as it is for SAD.
In summary, while both SAD and MDD share common depressive symptoms, SAD’s seasonal nature, carbohydrate cravings, hypersomnia, and responsiveness to light therapy help distinguish it. Consulting a healthcare provider can help determine the most effective treatment plan, which may include light therapy, antidepressants, or psychotherapy, specially tailored to each individual’s needs.
Several treatments are effective for both Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), though their application may vary slightly depending on the seasonality and specific symptoms involved in each condition. Here are some common approaches:
Together, these treatments offer a comprehensive approach to managing both seasonal and non-seasonal depressive symptoms. Treatment plans are often tailored by healthcare providers based on individual needs, preferences, and responses to therapy.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that affects millions of Americans, often without their realizing it. SAD usually begins in young adulthood and is more prevalent among women, particularly in northern regions where winter days are shorter. While most cases of SAD occur in winter (winter-pattern SAD), a less common form, known as “summer depression” or “summer-pattern SAD” can affect people during the warmer months. Winter SAD is often linked to reduced daylight hours, causing symptoms like fatigue, increased appetite, and low mood, while summer SAD may be triggered by factors such as heat, humidity, and disrupted routines, leading to symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and loss of appetite.
SAD is more common in people with pre-existing mental health conditions, such as depression or bipolar disorder—especially bipolar II, which involves depressive and hypomanic episodes. Those with SAD often have other co-occurring mental health conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, and panic disorders, and SAD may run in families, particularly among those with relatives who have conditions such as depression or schizophrenia.
Treatment for SAD generally includes light therapy for winter-pattern SAD, as it mimics natural sunlight to improve mood, as well as psychotherapy to help manage symptoms and sometimes antidepressants to ease depressive episodes. For those with summer-pattern SAD, lifestyle adjustments—like maintaining a stable daily routine and managing heat and stress—can also be beneficial.
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Disclaimer. The information provided is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
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