Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month brings attention to a condition that can quietly disrupt a person’s mood, energy, and daily functioning as the seasons change. 

Understanding how Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) presents, and why the symptoms follow predictable seasonal patterns, can help individuals and families recognize when these changes are more than a “winter slump” or temporary stress. 

With proper attention and evidence-based treatment, SAD is something people can navigate with clarity, support, and hope.

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month?

Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month is a period dedicated to increasing public knowledge about SAD. It usually occurs in December. 

Goals of SAD Awareness Month

SAD Awareness Month aims to:

• Educate communities about seasonal mood disorders
  
• Encourage early recognition of symptoms in adults, teens, and children
  
• Reduce stigma around mental health treatment
  
• Highlight evidence-based treatment options, including therapy, medication, and light therapy

By increasing awareness and access to care, the campaign helps individuals and families better recognize the signs of SAD and seek timely support, especially during vulnerable seasonal periods.

What NIMH Says About SAD

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH):

• SAD is a subtype of major depression linked to changes in daylight and seasonal rhythms.
  
• Its symptoms typically begin and end at the same time each year, becoming more noticeable as daylight periods change.

Types of Seasonal Affective Disorder

NIMH identifies two main patterns of SAD based on when symptoms occur:

• Winter-pattern SAD (winter depression)
  
  • Symptoms begin in late fall or early winter
    
  • Symptoms usually fade in spring or summer
    
  • More common than the summer form
    
• Summer-pattern SAD (summer depression)
  
  • Symptoms arise in spring or early summer
    
  • Symptoms tend to improve in late fall or winter
    
  • Considered less common

Knowing when SAD occurs is only one part of understanding the disorder. Recognizing the warning signs is just as important for early intervention and proper care, especially during seasonal shifts.

Common Signs and Symptoms of SAD

SAD involves depressive symptoms that follow a predictable seasonal pattern. These symptoms are similar to major depression but occur at specific times of the year, often when daylight changes disrupt biological rhythms, mood regulation, and sleep cycles.

Core Symptoms of SAD

Individuals with SAD may experience symptoms such as:

• Persistent sadness, low mood, or feelings of hopelessness
  
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
  
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  
• Low energy or fatigue, even with adequate rest
  
• Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping more or less than usual)
  
• Changes in appetite or weight
  
• Social withdrawal or reduced motivation to engage with others
  
• Thoughts of death or suicide (in severe cases)

Symptoms Specific to Winter-Pattern SAD

Winter-pattern SAD is the most common form and typically includes:

• Increased sleep or oversleeping (hypersomnia)
  
• Increased appetite, especially cravings for carbohydrates
  
• Weight gain during the colder months
  
• Low energy, difficulty waking up, and daytime tiredness
  
• Difficulty concentrating, particularly in the morning
  
• Reduced motivation to socialize or complete daily tasks

These symptoms often intensify as daylight declines in fall and winter.

Symptoms Specific to Summer-Pattern SAD

Although less common, summer-pattern SAD may include symptoms opposite to winter-pattern SAD, such as:

• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
  
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
  
• Increased anxiety, agitation, or irritability
  
• Restlessness or racing thoughts
  
• Heat intolerance or feeling overstimulated

Who Can Experience SAD?

SAD can affect adults, teens, and children. It may occur alone or alongside other mental health conditions, such as:

• Major depressive disorder
  
• Bipolar disorder (especially bipolar II)
  
• Anxiety disorders
  
• Substance use disorders (due to self-medication)

These symptoms can shape how someone performs daily responsibilities and responds to stress. 

How SAD Affects Work, School, and Mental Health

SAD) can interfere with day-to-day functioning because its symptoms affect a person’s energy levels, motivation, concentration, and emotional regulation. These challenges can impact job performance, academic progress, and overall mental well-being, especially when symptoms are misunderstood or untreated.

Impact of SAD on Work

Individuals experiencing SAD may struggle with:

• Decreased productivity, especially during morning hours, due to low energy
  
• Difficulty focusing, completing tasks, or meeting deadlines
  
• Reduced motivation, which can affect goal-setting or job engagement
  
• Challenges with teamwork or communication, linked to irritability or withdrawal
  
• Increased absenteeism or late arrivals, particularly during the darker winter months

These work-related impacts can lead to heightened stress, reduced job satisfaction, and pressure from employers or coworkers who may not recognize SAD as a health condition.

Impact of SAD on School

Students with SAD, whether in elementary, high school, or college, may experience:

• Problems with memory, concentration, and learning new material
  
• Fatigue that affects participation in class or extracurricular activities
  
• Difficulty waking up on school days, leading to tardiness or missed classes
  
• Lower grades or incomplete assignments due to lack of motivation
  
• Withdrawal from social activities or peers, especially during peak symptom periods

Because young people may not know how to describe what they’re feeling, SAD can often be mistaken for laziness, academic disengagement, or behavioral problems.

Impact of SAD on Mental Health

Beyond school or work, SAD can influence emotional and psychological well-being in significant ways:

• Increased feelings of sadness, irritability, or hopelessness
  
• Changes in sleep and appetite that affect physical and emotional balance
  
• Social isolation, which can reinforce depressive symptoms
  
• Possible increase in substance use, as some individuals may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with low mood, anxiety, or insomnia
  
• Higher risk of suicidal thoughts in severe cases, similar to major depressive disorder

When symptoms go unrecognized, some individuals may look for ways to cope on their own, which may include habits that offer temporary relief but create additional risks over time. One area of growing concern is the connection between seasonal depression and the misuse of alcohol or other substances as a form of self-medication.

When SAD and Substance Use Overlap

SAD and substance use disorders (SUDs) can occur together. While not everyone with SAD misuses substances, depressive symptoms and seasonal mood changes can increase the risk of self-medicating with alcohol or drugs, which in turn can worsen both conditions.

Studies on SAD and substance use in general show:

• A population-based study found an association between seasonal affective disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, suggesting that people with SAD may be more likely to meet criteria for alcohol abuse than those without SAD.¹
  
• A review on alcoholism and SAD notes that some individuals with alcoholism have a seasonal pattern to their alcohol misuse, possibly reflecting attempts to self-medicate SAD symptoms or a seasonal pattern to alcohol-induced depression.²

These findings don’t mean SAD always causes substance use problems, but they do highlight an important correlation and potential risk.

Why SAD May Increase the Risk of Substance Use

Several factors may explain why people with SAD are vulnerable to using substances as a coping strategy:

• Self-medication for low mood and anxiety – Depressive symptoms (sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, low energy) can lead some individuals to use alcohol, cannabis, or sedatives for temporary relief.
  
• Changes in brain chemistry and reward pathways – SAD is linked to disruptions in serotonin and circadian rhythms, which affect mood and reward processing. Alcohol and other substances also act on these systems, which can make them feel briefly “corrective,” reinforcing repeated use.
  
• Social and environmental factors – Shorter days, cold weather, and reduced outdoor activity in winter may mean more time indoors and in social situations where drinking or substance use is common and fewer healthy coping outlets (e.g., exercise, sunlight, social engagement)
  
• Sleep disruption – SAD often affects sleep (insomnia in summer-pattern; oversleeping in winter-pattern). People may use substances like alcohol to “help” with sleep or stimulants to fight fatigue, both of which can backfire over time.

If these patterns appear, it may point to co-occurring SAD and a substance use disorder, which typically requires professional evaluation and integrated care.

How to Seek Appropriate Treatment

SAD begins with recognizing that seasonal depression is a medical condition. The right level of care depends on symptom severity, safety concerns, co-occurring disorders, and how much daily functioning has been affected.

Start with a professional evaluation

A licensed mental health professional can determine whether symptoms are due to SAD, another form of depression, bipolar disorder, or co-occurring substance use. An evaluation may include:

• Review of symptoms and when they occur seasonally
  
• Screening for depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder
  
• Assessing for alcohol or drug use as a coping strategy
  
• Discussing sleep, appetite, lifestyle, and family history

For many people, a virtual or in-person assessment is the first step toward understanding their needs and choosing the most appropriate treatment plan.

Choose integrated, evidence-based care

Treatment is most effective when both mood symptoms and substance use (if present) are addressed together. Whether outpatient or residential, quality programs should offer:

• Licensed mental health clinicians
  
• Support for co-occurring disorders
  
• Individual and family therapy
  
• Medication management when appropriate
  
• Evidence-based approaches such as CBT, motivational strategies, and holistic support

Consider Oceanrock Health for outpatient or virtual care for mild to moderate symptoms

If symptoms affect mood and functioning but do not pose immediate safety concerns, outpatient treatment is often appropriate. This may include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), especially versions tailored for SAD
  
• Light therapy (phototherapy) supervised by a clinician
  
• Antidepressant medication when recommended by a psychiatrist or physician
  
• Behavioral strategies, such as structured sleep routines and exposure to daylight

Oceanrock Health offers virtual and outpatient treatment for individuals and families across Southern California, making care accessible for those who:

• Need flexible scheduling around work or school
  
• Prefer sessions from home due to fatigue, weather, or transportation challenges
  
• Want to address both mood symptoms and substance use without entering a residential facility

Outpatient programs can be especially beneficial for teens, adults, and busy professionals who need structured support while continuing daily responsibilities.

Consider residential care through South Coast Counseling

For those whose symptoms significantly impair functioning or who rely on alcohol or drugs to cope with seasonal depression, inpatient residential treatment may be necessary. Residential care is recommended when:

• There is persistent suicidal thinking or severe hopelessness
  
• A person cannot maintain work, school, or basic responsibilities
  
• Substance use is interfering with recovery or safety
  
• Outpatient treatment has not provided sufficient improvement
  
• Detox, stabilization, or intensive therapy is required

South Coast Counseling provides residential, dual-diagnosis treatment, meaning they treat both SAD-related depression and substance use at the same time. This approach helps individuals stabilize safely, develop new coping strategies, and begin structured recovery in a supportive environment.

Reaching out for support is a strong and hopeful first step. With the right treatment plan, it’s possible to manage symptoms, rebuild daily functioning, and move toward long-term emotional health and stability.

Sources:

1. Morales-Muñoz, I., Koskinen, S., & Partonen, T. (2017). Seasonal affective disorder and alcohol abuse disorder in a population-based study. Psychiatry Research, 253, 91–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.03.029
2. ‌Sher, L. (2004). Alcoholism and seasonal affective disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 45(1), 51–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2003.09.007