Diagnosing SAD
Believe it or not, diagnosing seasonal affective disorder is not as easy as you may think. Furthermore, it is not always diagnosed correctly. Many times SAD is misdiagnosed as depression or bipolar disorder. With confirming SAD being so difficult, you may be asking yourself what tests are performed to ensure you are getting the right treatment for your disorder.
Along with a full psychological and physical exam you can expect your doctor to give you a number of questionnaires. These can be about everything from your lifestyle choices, to mood swings. They may even delve into your eating and sleeping patterns or questions about your social life. All of this information contributes to diagnosing you correctly, so answering these questions as honestly and thoroughly as possible is extremely important.
If you suffer from depression only during certain times of the year, your depression is not consistent or you have no other explanation for your symptoms, it is time to see a doctor. SAD is treatable and proper diagnosis is the first step to feeling better.
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