In terms of diagnosis, seasonal affective disorder is not really a separate mood disorder from major depression or bipolar disorder. Instead, "seasonal pattern" is a specifier used as additional diagnostic information to describe the regular pattern of the depressive episode associated with major depression or bipolar disorder. For instance, a person could receive the following diagnosis:

Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode, Moderate, With Seasonal Pattern

However, since people often refer to this type of depression as "Seasonal Affective Disorder" or "SAD" we will use that terminology here. SAD is a condition that affects a person during specific times or seasons of the year. Typically the depressive symptoms of this condition begin during fall or winter, and end when spring arrives. At other months during the year a person's mood will be normal, or at least will not meet criteria for clinical depression.

Those who have SAD may notice that in the winter months they have a lack of energy or feel sluggish, they sleep more than usual, they overeat and gain weight, and they may have a craving for carbohydrates. Of those who have SAD, 60%-90% are women. Rates of SAD are higher in those who live at higher latitudes. It also occurs more frequently in younger people and often begins in a person's twenties.

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