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The most characteristic quality of SAD is that the typical symptoms of lowered mood and lethargy usually present during Winter and improve in the Spring. Also the symptoms tend to improve when the patients are exposed to increased daylight or bright light therapy. The mind and emotional symptoms are as in other types of depression namely low mood, pessimism, low energy and a general unwell feeling with sleep disturbance.
However, the physical symptoms are the reverse of classic depressive physical symptoms, namely increased sleep and increased appetite.
Dr Eric Asher and Steve Kippax | Monday 30th November 2009
SAD | low mood | low energy | lethargy | seasonal affective disorder | light box therapy | Winter blues
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