2. • Depression that comes about annually and
lasts for most or all of a season.
• For example, someone with SAD may
experience symptoms at the beginning of fall
and last throughout winter.

3. Fall and Winter
• Depression
• Hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Loss of energy
• Heavy feeling in limbs
• Social withdrawal
• Oversleeping
• Loss of interest in activities that the person usually likes
• Appetite changes (craving foods high in carbs)
• Weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating

4. Spring and Summer
• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Increased sex drive

5. • SAD occurs in six of every 100 people in the
United States.
• 10-20% may have a less severe case of SAD.
• More women are diagnosed with SAD than men.
• SAD is more likely to occur in people who are 20
or older
• The farther someone lives from the equator, the
more common it is.

6. • Biological-
-People with SAD may take antidepressants to help
relieve depressing thoughts.
-Examples: Paxil; Zoloft; Prozac, Serafem;
Effexor, and Wellbutrin XL
-Light Therapy
-Light therapy exposes a person to light that
is similar to sunlight, it has been successful in
changing brain chemicals associated with mood.

7. • Psychodynamic-
-Psychotherapy
-Taking part in psychotherapy can help
someone with SAD eliminate bad thoughts they
don’t realize they’re thinking about which could be
making them feel worse.
• Learning/Behavior
-Moving somewhere closer to the equator
-Moving closer to the equator during the fall
and winter months could help someone with Sad
adapt to a warmer climate and a lighter, brighter
environment to make them feel better.

8. • Cognitive-
-Psychotherapy
-By talking with a psychotherapist, someone
with SAD can change some of the bad thoughts they
are having into positive thoughts, helping them cope
with the disorder.
• Sociocultural-
-Exercising
-Someone with SAD could try getting good
exercise during the period they get their depression.
In the United States, many people feel better about
themselves and have more positive thoughts after
they’ve been working out.

9. Works Cited
Gross, Adrienne. “SAD Winter Blues — Seasonal Affective Disorder.” Mental Health
Foundation ACT. Mental Health Foundation ACT, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.mhf.org.au/mhf/awareness.aspx?a=18&s=99&c=301>.
Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic staff, 22 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195>.
MedicineNet. N.p., 29 Apr. 2010. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.medicinenet.com/seasonal_affective_disorder_sad/page3.htm#what_is_the_
treatment_for_seasonal_affect_disorder>.
Susic, Paul. “Seasonal Affective Disorder: What is it exactly?” St. Louis Psychologists and
Counseling Information and Referral. N.p., 20 Jan. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://psychtreatment.com/seasonal_affective_disorder.htm>.