Seasonal Affective Disorder is best described as which?

• A. Mental depression related to certain seasons of the year
• B. Chronic anxiety disorder unrelated to season
• C. Addiction to bright light
• D. A sleep disorder without mood symptoms

Answer: (A)

Seasonal Affective Disorder is best described as mental depression related to certain seasons of the year. It typically starts in fall or winter when daylight is shorter and may improve in the spring or summer. People often experience depressed mood, fatigue, loss of interest in activities, hypersomnia, irritability, social withdrawal, and changes in appetite or cravings for carbohydrates. The key is the seasonal pattern—these symptoms recur at roughly the same times each year. This differs from anxiety disorders that aren’t tied to seasons, from any notion of an addiction to bright light, and from a sleep disorder that lacks mood symptoms. Understanding the seasonal timing helps guide treatment, which may include light therapy, exercise, and strategies to improve mood and sleep.