Get Dr La Puma's Healthy Bites & Weekly Wows in your inbox to help you feel your best inside and out. Insights, healthy recipes and recommended household, culinary, literary, botanical and natural products to make your life easier, healthier and more fun.
Take this simple, 3 minute quiz to see if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Let’s make sure you’re not SAD this winter!
While it goes by many names—seasonal depression, seasonal affective disorder, the winter blues—it is often the same condition. SAD is a type of depression which usually occurs during the winter months. It’s usually caused by seasonal pattern interrupts, seasonal changes, disruptions to the circadian rhythm, a lack of vitamin D, or decreased exposure to natural light. This condition is more common in young adults than older adults.
When seasonal depression occurs in the summer months, it is referred to as summer depression or summer SAD instead of winter SAD, though this is less common and not what is tested in this quiz.
The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are many. With SAD, many people experience:
Many of these are common side effects. Because these side effects are very similar to those of other mental health conditions, like mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, it can be tricky to tell if you have SAD or not. This quiz sheds light on the cause of your symptoms of depression for free.
As with most mental health conditions, speaking with a qualified mental health professional is always a good idea. Cognitive behavioral therapy or antidepressant medications might help.
Along with seeing a healthcare professional, there are some natural solutions to SAD. These include light therapy, Vitamin D and melatonin supplements, and habits to support your well-being.
After you complete this questionnaire, we will send you a giant list of SAD treatments as a free resource.