Diagnosis - Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Visit your GP if you have symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Effective treatments are available if you're diagnosed with it.

There are no physical tests for SAD. Your GP will try to find out if you have SAD by asking you questions. They will ask about your health and how it is affecting you mentally and physically.

They'll also ask about:

• your mood
• your lifestyle
• your eating and sleeping patterns
• any seasonal changes in your thoughts and behaviour
• your symptoms and if they stop you from doing normal activities
• you and your family's mental health history

Try to be open and honest with your answers. Describe how your symptoms are affecting you.

Your GP may also do a brief physical examination to rule out other difficulties that may be causing your symptoms.

Getting a diagnosis of SAD

SAD can be difficult to diagnose because there are many other types of depression that have similar symptoms.

A diagnosis of SAD can usually be confirmed if:

• your depression happens at a similar time each year
• periods of depression are followed by periods without depression
• you've had symptoms during the same time of year for 2 or more years in a row
• it affects your work, relationships or interests