> [!NOTE] SAD > ### **Key Features** - **Symptoms:** Low [[mood]], fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, changes in [[Sleep]] or appetite (often craving carbohydrates), and social withdrawal. - **Timing:** Symptoms typically **begin in late autumn or early [[Winter]]** and improve in spring or summer. A less common pattern—**summer-onset SAD**—can also occur. - **Causes:** Thought to involve **disruptions in [[Circadian Rhythms]]**, reduced sunlight affecting **melatonin and serotonin levels**, and genetic or biological susceptibility. - **Risk Factors:** Higher prevalence in **northern latitudes**, female sex, and individuals with a personal or family history of [[Depression]]. --- ### **Treatment** - **Light therapy:** Exposure to **bright artificial light** simulating sunlight. - **Medication:** Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, in moderate to severe cases. - **Psychotherapy:** Cognitive-behavioural therapy adapted for SAD. - **Lifestyle adjustments:** Regular exercise, outdoor activity, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. --- In brief: **SAD = a seasonal pattern of depression triggered by reduced daylight, treatable with light therapy, medication, and behavioural strategies.** `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`