Some particular features of SAD

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If you have SAD you tend to have some of the 'atypical' (less typical) symptoms of depression.

You tend to put on weight rather than lose weight. This is because many people with SAD develop craving for sweet things and have an increased appetite.
Rather than difficulty sleeping, you tend to be more sleepy and sleep more.
Some people with SAD report a feeling of heaviness in the arms and legs.

Without treatment, the symptoms tend to improve and go fairly abruptly in the spring, over a week or so. Some people develop great bursts of energy and creativity in the spring. In a small number of cases, as spring arrives the mood changes from depression into an abnormal 'high' and elated mood (mania or hypomania).

Some people who work in buildings without windows may have SAD symptoms throughout the year. On the other hand, if you have SAD whilst living in the UK, the symptoms may not occur if you move to a country nearer the equator such as southern Spain.

Winter blues

In the winter many people feel more tired, sleep more, put on some weight, and feel a little 'blue'. However, they do not develop the full features of depression to be classed as having SAD. This is called winter blues, and is sometimes called 'sub-syndromal SAD'.

How do you know it is SAD and not the common form of depression?

The diagnosis of SAD is based on you having episodes of depression which have occurred on at least two consecutive years in the winter months. And, symptoms clear in the spring. Also, if you have SAD your symptoms tend to include the 'atypical' features of depression (craving sweet things, increased appetite, weight gain, increased sleepiness).

You, and your doctor, may not realise that you have SAD for several years. This is because recurring depression is quite common. You may have been treated for depression several times over the years before it is realised that you have the seasonal pattern of SAD.