Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, emerging in the fall and winter as daylight lessens and letting up in the spring and summer as the days lengthen.
While SAD has received a fair amount of attention for its effects on adults, the condition can also affect children. Here’s what you should know about SAD and how to help your child if they experience it.
What distinguishes SAD from other forms of depression is that it only occurs for a few months of the year and has a distinct seasonal pattern. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include:
To be diagnosed with SAD, your child has to have experienced these symptoms seasonally for at least two years. In addition to the above symptoms, you might notice your child’s grades are slipping or they have withdrawn from social activities. Though SAD is most common in teens and those in their early 20s, children can experience it as well.
If you’re concerned your child might be experiencing SAD, the first thing to do is speak with their doctor. Symptoms of SAD can also be symptoms of other conditions, so it’s best to have those ruled out before assuming your child is experiencing depression.
If your child’s doctor suspects SAD, there are some things you can do to help your child feel better:
You can also help by:
If the above treatments don’t work, your doctor may recommend medications to help relieve your child’s symptoms. It’s important to take your child’s symptoms seriously. Doing so can help your child feel better faster.