Seasonal Affective Disorder is commonly referred to as a winter depression.  Many people that have SAD or think they have SAD assume they have the winter blues.  However, there is a difference between SAD and the Winter Blues.

SAD

SAD is a medical condition.  This specific type of depression occurs in patients every winter season.  Individuals that have this condition will notice a pattern in their behavior that is consistent over time as each winter season passes.  Those that do not have SAD will not have this consistent pattern.  Also, those that suffer from SAD do suffer from depression-like symptoms.  However, after winter is over, their mood and behavior will return to normal.

Winter Blues

The winter blues is a milder form of SAD and basically a result of someone being down because the season has changed.  However, the winter blues do not exhibit consistent changes in behavior each season.  One year, an individual may just feel down during the winter and the next winter they may feel fine. 

Treatments

Also, treating the winter blues is much easier than treating SAD.  Typically if an individual increases light in their environment they will be better off.  Also, they will greatly benefit from an increase in their activity level.  The winter tends to be a time when individuals are more lethargic.  If you are trying to treat SAD, you might want to look into light therapy options.  There are a variety of SAD therapy lamps available.  And, you might want to talk to your doctor about what they recommend for medication.

One of the hardest times each year is when we turn back our clocks during the fall.  For an hour this event is pleasing.  It provides us with much wanted sleep.  The extra hour in the day was much needed.  However, after you have slept longer, you wake to reality.  The sun is only going to shine for so long and daylight will disappear before you know it. 

Winter Blues

Daylight Savings can cause many individuals to suffer the winter blues.  They struggle with lack of light in their lives during these long winter months.  For many, they feel like they wake up to darkness and return home to darkness.  It can be a grueling and even depressing process.  And, it can actually cause some individuals to suffer from a seasonal type of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

SAD

When your body does not take in enough light from the sun, you can experience an alteration in your mood.  The light helps your body produce serotonin a chemical that helps stimulate your brain and will prevent depression.  Without this light, it is no wonder why many people are SAD during the winter months. 

Treating SAD

If you do suffer from SAD, you do not have to endure the symptoms.  One of the best options is to purchase a SAD therapy lamp.  It will help mimic the light you are used to seeing during the summer months.  This can trigger your brain and hopefully elevate your mood so you do not have to feel down.