What is seasonal affective disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is episodes of depression that occur at a certain time of the year, usually during winter.

How do members experience seasonal affective disorder?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with seasonal affective disorder*

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Lack of motivation
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Bupropion Emotional Freedom Technique EFT
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Individual Therapy Listen to Music Vitamin B Complex
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Methylphenidate Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Vitamin B Complex
Common symptom
Pain
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Ibuprofen Tramadol
Common symptom
Depressed mood
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Sertraline Fluoxetine Duloxetine

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for seasonal affective disorder*

Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment

(Blue light therapy)
Type
Procedures
How many have tried
144
Tried for
seasonal affective disorder (2)
Treatment

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
187
Tried for
seasonal affective disorder (2)

*Data from patients with seasonal affective disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with seasonal affective disorder*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Blue light therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
seasonal affective disorder (2)
Treatment

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
seasonal affective disorder (2)

*Data from patients with seasonal affective disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has seasonal affective disorder on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 6
20s 57
30s 130
40s 197
50s 245
60s 246
70+ 106

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 172
Female 803