Signs to watch for
So, what are the symptoms to look for? Some of the symptoms are:
difficulty in concentrating, increased sleep, carbohydrate cravings and weight
gain. For many people, it is a struggle to get out of bed. Some say they feel
guilty and confused about not being able to function, asking themselves "what
is wrong with me?" Others have stated that they can sleep for hours and then
wake up feeling like they have not slept at all.
According to the book "Winter Blues" written by Norman Rosenthal,
chief of environmental psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health,
when diagnosing a client, it is important to consider whether the client is not
suffering from environmental stressors or depression that come around the holidays.
For example, some people experience grief during the holidays due to the recent
passing of a loved one; others experience a "let down" depression after
the holidays.
Counselors should examine a history of the clients' past three years to see
if they had more energy in the spring and summer months. Having a history of depression
only during the winter months can be a strong indication of SAD. Several assessment
forms have been developed over the years that can be given to a client, including
the Personal Inventory for Depression and SAD, the Diagnostic Interview for Atypical
Depression and the Structured Interview Guide to the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale -- Seasonal Affective Disorder Version. To find out more about these scales,
visit www.isv.uit.no/seksjon/psyk/wd-find.htm.
In addition, Michael Terman, a professor at Columbia University, has done a
lot of work concerning SAD. Terman, along with J.B.W. Williams, developed the
Personal Inventory for Depression, which can be downloaded at www.cet.org. This
website will be offering a complete set of SAD assessment instruments on CD-ROM
within a couple of months.
Click here for contact information
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