Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.

Talk to a doctor now

24/7 visits - just $44!

50% off with $19/month membership

Conditions›Pregnancy complications›Clinical depression›Seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder)

Seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder)

A type of depression related to changes in the seasons. SAD begins and ends at approximately the same times every year.

Dr. Geoffrey Rutledgereviewed this

Internal Medicine 39 years experience

Is a type of:Depression, Clinical depression

How long it usually lasts:

Chronic (lasts years to lifelong)

How common is it?

Common

Common	Extremely rare	Very rare	Rare	Common	Very common
Preteen6-13				Common
Teenager14-18					Very common
Young adult19-40					Very common
Middle-aged adult41-60					Very common

How it can usually be treated?

Can be cured with medical treatment

How is it usually diagnosed?

Self-diagnosable

Body locations

Head

Medications

Ratings show how effective doctors think these medications are at treating Seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder)

Birth control pills

Mood stabilizer

Other treatments

Exercise or physical activity

Behavior therapy

Counseling and therapy clinics

Tests

Thyroid stimulating hormone

Comprehensive metabolic panel

Related questions

A 37-year-old member asked:

What's the difference between seasonal depression and seasonal affective disorder?

2 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in

A 45-year-old member asked:

How do I distinguish depression from seasonal affective disorder?

2 doctor answers6 doctors weighed in

A 29-year-old member asked:

Feel depressed when daylight savings time ends. Do I have seasonal affective disorder?

2 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in

A 21-year-old female asked:

Hi im on medication for depression and an anxiety disorder. ?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in

A 46-year-old member asked:

I'm curious if left untreated or at least undiagnosed, can bipolar disorder become full on depression?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in

A 46-year-old member asked:

Could you tell me if left untreated or at least undiagnosed, can bipolar disorder become full on depression?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in

A 41-year-old member asked:

What to do if i'm on remicade (infliximab) for Crohn's disease, since I have been on it I have had major depression?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in

A 46-year-old member asked:

What do you advise if I'm on remicade (infliximab) for Crohn's disease, since I have been on it I have had major depression?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in

A 51-year-old female asked:

I'm on depression anxiety panic disorder med for a year now, been through 6 meds & counseling meds don't wk, I'm tried of going though this everyday?

1 doctor answer4 doctors weighed in

A 26-year-old male asked:

I have suffered from depression & generalised anxiety disorder all my life. Can this have a strong physical effect on the body? I find Im always feeling run down and sick?

4 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in

Load more

Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.

Talk to a doctor now

24/7 visits - just $44!

50% off with $19/month membership