In most cases, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Less commonly, people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses. Signs and symptoms of SAD may include:
Fall and winter SAD | Spring and summer SAD |
---|---|
oversleeping | Trouble sleeping (insomnia) |
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates | Poor appetite |
Weight gain | Weight loss |
Tiredness or low energy | Agitation or anxiety |