What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder is a major (serious) form of depression that occurs at the same time each year. Researchers have identified two types of SAD. The most common type, known as “winter depression,” usually begins in the late fall to early winter months and ends in spring. Seasonal affective disorder can also occur in the summer (known as “summer depression”). Surveys estimate that 4 to 6 percent of the general population experience SAD. Women with SAD outnumber men four to one. The disorder usually begins in person’s early twenties and the risk for developing SAD decreases with age (Saeed and Bruce).
