SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated 7% of the population every winter between September and April; in particular during December, January and February.
The SAD Association is a voluntary organisation and registered charity which informs the public and health professions about SAD and supports and advises sufferers of the condition.It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter.
For many people SAD is a seriously disabling illness, preventing them from functioning normally without continuous medical treatment. For others, it is a mild but debilitating condition causing discomfort but not severe suffering.
We call this subsyndromal SAD or 'winter blues.' It is estimated that a further 17% of the UK population have this milder form of condition.
- Learn more about the symptoms of SAD
- Do you have SAD?
- Treatment for SAD