Symptoms and Complications
SAD usually occurs during the late fall/winter months - usually between
October and April. Symptoms include:
- lethargy and fatigue (low energy level)
- withdrawal from friends and family
- inability to focus or concentrate
- sadness, anxiety, and despair
- increased appetite with cravings for sweets and starches, and weight gain
that begins in the autumn and continues through the winter months
- headaches
- irritability
- crying spells
In children, symptoms include irritability, problems in school, and difficulty
getting out of bed.
Some people may have an opposite pattern of symptoms, such as loss of appetite
and weight loss as well as insomnia.