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Who Is Affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

People who are more prone to developing seasonal affective disorder (SAD) include:1, 2

  • Females. Women are diagnosed with SAD more often than men.
  • Older teens and young adults. The risk of developing SAD for the first time decreases as a person grows older.
  • People who live far from the equator.
  • People who have a family history of SAD.

Citations

  1. Magnusson A, Boivin D (2003). Seasonal affective disorder: An overview. Chronobiology International, 20(2): 189–207.
  2. Byrne B, Brainard GC (2008). Seasonal affective disorder and light therapy. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 3: 307–315.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Alfred Lewy, MD, PhD - Psychiatry
Last Revised July 7, 2010

Last Revised: July 7, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Alfred Lewy, MD, PhD - Psychiatry

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