Around one in 300 Australians experiences seasonal afective disorder (SAD), a version of depression that occurs during the winter months and eases in spring.
Anyone can develop SAD, but it’s most common in 18- to 30-year-olds. Women are twice as likely to sufer from SAD, whereas men tend to have more severe symptoms.
People who have SAD often sufer from stress, anxiety, poor self-esteem and irritability, some (or all) of which may come with strong feelings of despair, guilt or worthlessness. They may also be lethargic, sleep more, have trouble concentrating and feel unsociable.
Many suferers say they eat and sleep more in winter and generally feel low. (This means they have the winter blues rather than full-blown SAD.)
A doctor usually diagnoses SAD only when a patient’s symptoms recur for two to three consecutive winters.
If you’re at all concerned about depression and SAD, speak to your doctor.
