Acronyms dictionary SAD What does SAD mean? SAD is an acronym for seasonal affective disorder, a disorder often classified as a form of depression that is typically most severe during the fall and winter months. It is sometimes formally or alternatively called major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern. Symptoms associated with SAD are often similar to those of depression, including intense sadness, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, and abnormal eating and sleeping behavior. A person with SAD usually experiences symptoms during the winter and/or periods of reduced sunlight. SAD is more common in people living far from the equator and has been connected to abnormal brain functioning due to short days and lack of sunlight. Symptoms often lessen or disappear entirely with the arrival of spring. Treatments for SAD may include medication or specific types of therapy, such as light therapy. Examples of SAD Because SAD is a form of depression, it causes the typical symptoms of the disorder. No matter when your SAD starts, you may feel tired, low on energy, restless, unable to focus, or as if you are moving in slow motion. Dr. Wayne Jonas, Psychology Today, February 1, 2022 After the age of 50, the risk of SAD starts to decline. Researchers aren’t yet sure why. HereToHelp.bc.ca The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. MayoClinic.org SEE MORE EXAMPLES Who uses SAD? If you’re feeling better now that the sun is out, there’s a reason. Exposure to sunshine increases our serotonin – a hormone that affects our mood, appetite and sleep. For people who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), sunshine makes a noticeable difference! — TONI TONE (@t0nit0ne) June 2, 2021 This is the time of year where SAD (seasonal affective disorder) hits people hard. Lack of sun, colder weather. Be kind. — 🔥Derek, Your T Shirt Boo👕 (@DerekJStern) October 29, 2021 I can feel SAD (seasonal affective disorder) season approaching it’s too dark out right now — Katherine Champagne (@keccers) September 8, 2021 Just Added trigger law, bystander effect, CSI effect, Streisand effect, L + ratio Note This is not meant to be a formal definition of SAD like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of SAD that will help our users expand their word mastery.