What is Seasonal Affective Disorder and how is that different from depression?
27 Answers
Last Updated: 05/12/2020 at 9:37pm
Perfect therapy for people who need help. I would like to say, I never can imagine it could be possible to heal people like that
Ta
Tania
Moderated by
Stacey Kiger, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
My belief is that therapy is not about giving advice, but joining you on your journey
Top Rated Answers
It is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. Unlike depression which occurs either continuously or at any point.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a disorder that can cause the person feeling depressed, developed sleep problems and weight loss/gain just to name a few. It is not depression as it is season dependant and usually starts around the same time of the year.
Anonymous
March 20th, 2015 2:43pm
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that has a seasonal pattern. People suffering from SAD tend to have episodes of depression that occur at the same time each year, normally in the winter. It's thought to be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter days of the year.
SAD only comes around at certain times of the year - usually around winter, when the days get shorter and darker, and it makes you feel much lower than normal. It's different from depression because depression can come and go at any time, and can give much worse feelings than SAD would usually give.
I do not know very much about this topic, but found a link to a website that may help you. I hope you find it useful! The article compares the two, and does a good job of explaining their similarities and differences.
From what I read, I found that SAD is a type of depression. The only major difference is that SAD occurs during different times of the year, hence the word "seasonal." Basically, SAD is caused by changes in season, and major depression is not. Imagine it being a more severe and debilitating version of the "winter blues." I hope I answered your question as well as possible.
https://www.allure.com/story/seasonal-affective-disorder-vs-depression
Anonymous
September 11th, 2014 3:40pm
Seasonal Affective Disorder is being more "depressed" in the colder months of the year. I hate cold weather and it am always more down during that time. Its like the cold just sucks the life out of me. I love the summer time and the warmness of everything around me. During the cold, I want to ball up and never move. I have gotten used to this and I brace myself for what is coming. I make an effort to keep myself involved in something so I do not spiral downwards.
Anonymous
February 11th, 2020 8:51am
Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD) is a subtype of depression that only happens during a certain time of the year (typically during the months with the least amount of sun.) It often has to do with the amount of sunlight (or lack thereof) that a person receives and can be helped by using things such as light therapy. Unlike other kinds of depression it would normally clear up on its own once that period of the year is over. Other forms of depression don’t really respond to light therapy as well the way Seasonal Affective Disorder does.
Seasonal Affective Disorder only occurs one time per year. Where as Depression is year round, always there. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a seasonal depression, and it comes around at the same time every year.
SAD is sometimes known as "winter depression" because the symptoms are more apparent and tend to be more severe during the winter.
The symptoms often begin in the autumn as the days start getting shorter. They're typically most severe during December, January and February.
SAD often improves and disappears in the spring and summer, although it may return each autumn and winter in a repetitive pattern.
I get seasonal affective disorder every single winter due to the lack of natural sunlight. Change of season brings on changes of how we feel about ourselves and the world at large, it can be challenging to deal with. I use a light generator to make sure I get plenty of full spectrum light to keep my brain from going goofy.
It's where the season/weather affects you. Example: where there's not as much sun in the winter this may make someone sad. Depression doesn't depend on weather or seasons
A Seasonal Affective Disorder is when you have "seasonal depression". Most people say it is the weather that brings them down or something that has happened in their past during that time. Some sort of depression disorder is year round.
Its a depression thatcomes and goes just like the seasons come and go it's called SAD for short.
Seasonal affective disorder is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year. How is it different from depression? Depression is something that does not go away unless on medication or trying recovery, and/or self-help.
Anonymous
April 17th, 2015 2:26pm
It is actually just a more specific type of depression that is linked to regular patterns of depressive episodes. It basically just means that the onset of depression starts at specific time or season of the year, with the onset being consistent through many years. While on the other hand, depression is just throughout the year all year round.
http://www.allaboutdepression.com/dia_09.html
Take a look at this and see if it helps.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2014 1:36am
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mild form of Depression when the seasons ( particularly in the Winter) change and there is limited Sunlight. It is different from Depression because regular Depression can last longer.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is seen to be prevalent during a particular season, usually winters. Depression is prevalent across seasons and has no more prevalence in one season than another.
Seasonal affective disorder is incredibly similar to depression in the way it affects people - e.g. it's symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of interest, irritability - however, like the name states, it is seasonal. This means it only occurs at certain times of the year, usually winter, due to the dark, cold nights. Despite this, it is not at all unheard of it for it to affect people in other seasons.
Anonymous
November 7th, 2014 11:55pm
Well, Seasonal Affective Disorder, even from it's name, is a state of emotions occurred cause of seasons. It is different from depression cause it is caused by season and it also goes away with the season, which is not the same as in depression which is persistent.
SAD is by definition a seasonal type of depression. It is just one type of depression among other varieties.
Anonymous
November 6th, 2014 3:36pm
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, is a disorder where you actually are depressed, but your mood depends on the weather.
People with SAD feel depressed when it's winter, when the sun isn't here, and when it's summer they don't have that kind of problem.
I heard somewhere that people with SAD can feel better when it's winter if they use lamps.
And depressed people are depressed no matter what weather is like. For example, I was really, really depressed this summer and the sun was shining but it didn't affect me at all. And now, in winter, I'm depressed too. That's actually the difference.
There are other many differences but I will write some other time about it.
Anonymous
October 30th, 2014 6:08pm
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression due to seasons. Most people with SAD suffer this in the winter time, and can be caused by lack of sunlight. As it is a form of depression, it makes you feel tired and unhappy, but can be treated successfully by light treatment.
Anonymous
October 25th, 2014 5:17pm
When the days go dark in autumn and winter, everyone needs a little more time at home, and sleep more. In the extreme form, this is called SAD. What often helps, is light therapy.
Seasonal Effective Disorder it is a seasonal depression usually caused by shorter days and less sun it happens
to many people
Seasonal Affective Disorder is when someone attains depression at a certain time of the year. This is different from depression because it is not caused by certain times of the year.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood disorder which is effected by the seasons. Most cases it happens in the WInter but people also get it in the other seasons too. It is different from depression because it is trieggered by the weather and seasons
Talk to an expert therapist
The first step in healing is having to courage to acknowledge that you need...
Talk to D'Anna NowRelated Questions: What is Seasonal Affective Disorder and how is that different from depression?
What do you do when you have no passion or drive?My anxiety is getting worse and depression won't let me live my life, how do I overcome this?I feel sad a lot, unmotivated, and I often can't stop crying for many hours. But I sleep and eat decently and I also can smile or laugh sometimes. Am I depressed or just sad?How to get things done professionaly at work when I'm very depressed?How do I keep myself from getting to attached to people?I am struggling with codependency and depression. I cannot afford therapy. What can I do to get help?How do I help explain to a parent that what I feel is valid after they reacted badly?How can I open up to people more even if it scares me?How to deal with depression fallout?Why do I hate myself so much?