If you are concerned about SAD then consider taking this quiz. The results, whatever they are can help you to set your mind at ease and move forward. If you find yourself answering yes more often than not, you can make an appointment and get help with treatment and if you find yourself answering no, then you can stop worrying about SAD.

Important Questions To Ask
1.  Do you function slower than normal?
2.  What does the future look like?
3.  Do you feel hopeless?
4.  Do you have difficulty concentrating when you are reading?
5.  Does it seem as though the pleasure and joy of your life has disappeared?
6.  Do you have a hard time making decisions?
7.  Have you lost interest in aspects of your life that used to be interesting to you?
8.  Do you feel sad and unhappy often?
9.  Are you constantly agitated and do you feel the need to keep moving around?
10.  Do you feel tired and fatigued?
11.  Does it require effort for you to do simple things?
12.  Do you feel guilty and in need of punishment?
13.  Do you feel like a failure?
14.  Do you feel lifeless, basically more dead than alive?
15.  How is your sleep?  Has it been disturbed – too much, too little, or bothered?
16.  Do you experience suicidal thoughts?
17.  Do you feel trapped?
18.  Do you feel sad when good things happen to you?
19.  Have you experienced a change in your weight?

Many people suffer from depression.  In fact, depression is often left untreated by many individuals.  This happens for several reasons.  Sometimes people assume that there is a negative connotation surrounding depression, therefore they choose to avoid treatment and try to handle their problems on their own.  In other situations, individuals do not realize they are suffering from depression and so they battle emotional issues that could be helped with medical options.  Regardless of the reason, it is important that individuals accept the reality of their situation.  If they are feeling depressed, they may need help.

How Do You Know If You Are Depressed?

One of the common reasons people neglect treating depression is because they do not realize they struggle with it.  This is common with those that suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that occurs in the winter.  Many times these people assume they were fine a few weeks ago, so how could they be depressed.  However, they do not understand the specifics of their condition.

Try Taking A Test

In situations like these or situations where you may be confused about your feelings, a depression quiz could come in handy.  It will help you evaluate whether or not you are depressed or simply going through a rough patch. Then you can proceed to make treatment decisions from an informed position.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression.  Although not as many people develop SAD they do regular depression, it is still important to keep in mind that SAD falls into the same category of depression sufferers.  And, today we are learning that depression is the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide.  Therefore, if you suffer from SAD, you fall into this category.

Decreasing Depression

According to experts that work with mental health patients and specialize in treating these patients, decreasing the prevalence of depression is a prime focus for the 21st century.  The reason for this is because by 2020 depression becomes the second highest cause of disability (cardiovascular disease being the first).  Apparently, 25 percent of the people visiting their doctor about depression have major issues.  And, of these people, many experience relapses.  The problem with depression is that the medical community knows how to treat it, but they do not know how to prevent it from recurring and predict/prevent the onset of depression.  In the case of a heart attack or stroke, the situation is different.  We can predict what might happen.

What This Means For You

Since depression is hard to prevent and even predict, the patient needs to take responsibility.  Ultimately it is their choice to recognize that something has changed and choose to do something about it.

Rarely do you ever hear someone say, “I love it when it thunderstorms.”  Why?  The truth is, no one really enjoys changes in the weather.  And, while the weather can add fun activities like skiing and snowboarding, it can also complicate normal activities like driving.  Therefore, it is completely normal if you are depressed about the weather.  In fact, depression from the season changes is actually a medical condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. This serious condition can be treated by lamps that mimic the sun you get in good weather.  And, while your medical condition may not be that extreme, there are certain weather conditions that could upset your mood and cause your behavior to become a little out of funk.

Rain

Rain is an obvious weather condition that is difficult for many people because it is wet.  Rain makes everything slippery and often uncomfortable, therefore few people enjoy the rain.  And, sometimes rain can accompany thunderstorms.

Snow

When temperatures become cold enough, rain changes into snow.  One of the positives of this change is that things are less wet.  However, the downside is, things are colder and also icier.  And, sometimes it can snow so much that you are stuck inside the house.

Cold Temperatures

There are also days when it is particularly cold – bitter cold.  It can be so cold that you do not want to step outside.  This can be almost as depressing as snow and rain.  Sometimes it can be worse because it is difficult to take.