/assets/images/provider/photos/2823971.jpeg)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Clinical Depression? How to Tell the Difference
As the days shorten and the temperatures drop, many people notice their mood, motivation, and energy levels fall. While it’s normal to feel a little sluggish during the darker months, persistent sadness or loss of interest in daily activities is a red flag you shouldn’t ignore.
The Horizons Wellness Family Health team takes an individualized approach to helping patients manage depression and feel better. Our team helps patients recognize the signs of depression and provides compassionate, evidence-based care to support long-term emotional wellness.
Let’s take a closer look at the difference between SAD and clinical depression, and what you can do if winter seems to have taken over your mood and well-being.
What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
Seasonal affective disorder is depression linked to the yearly change in seasons. Most often, symptoms start cropping up in late fall or early winter when sunlight hours decline, and last 4 to 5 months out of the year.
Reduced daylight can disrupt your circadian rhythm, lower the brain’s feel-good chemical serotonin, and increase melatonin production, which can lead to fatigue and low mood.
If you’re experiencing SAD, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Feeling sad or down most of the day
- Oversleeping or increased fatigue
- Weight gain or cravings for carbohydrates
- Difficulty concentrating
- Withdrawal from social activities
If your symptoms strike the same time each year and ease when spring starts to bloom, SAD could be the culprit.
What makes clinical depression different?
Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder (MDD), isn’t linked to a specific season; it can occur at any time of year.
Symptoms may overlap with SAD, but they tend to be more severe and consistent. Signs include:
- Persistent sadness or emptiness
- Loss of interest in hobbies or relationships
- Significant changes in appetite or weight
- Feelings of hopelessness or guilt
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
People with MDD show distinct changes in brain activity and neurotransmitter function compared to those with seasonal depression, according to a 2023 study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.
If your symptoms linger beyond the winter months or seem unrelated to seasonal changes, you may be dealing with clinical depression rather than SAD.
Getting the right treatment
The good news is that both SAD and clinical depression are highly treatable. Horizons Wellness Family Health offers a comprehensive range of treatment options, including talk therapy, antidepressant medications, ketamine infusion therapy, and Spravato® (esketamine) nasal spray, a fast-acting therapeutic option for treatment-resistant depression.
For patients who haven’t found relief with traditional antidepressants, ketamine infusion therapy and Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray offer breakthrough alternatives that work differently from conventional medications.
How can innovative treatments like ketamine help?
While standard antidepressants target serotonin and may take 6 to 8 weeks before you feel any better, ketamine acts on glutamate, a powerful neurotransmitter that helps the brain form new connections.
This novel mechanism can provide rapid symptom relief, often within hours or days. Clinical studies, including a 2024 review in the journal Nature Mental Health, show that ketamine therapies can effectively reduce suicidal thoughts and treatment-resistant depression.
Spravato®, an FDA-approved nasal form of esketamine, offers similar benefits, allowing for precise dosing and professional monitoring. Together, these treatments help “reset” neural pathways and restore emotional balance, especially for those whose depression has not responded to other therapies.
Feel better sooner with innovative treatment
If you’ve noticed your mood shift with the seasons, or if you’re struggling with persistent sadness, don’t wait to seek support. Contact Horizons Wellness Family Health in Middletown, New York, today. Call us or use our online booking feature to schedule a consultation and learn how our compassionate team can help you feel and function better this season.