How can employers recognize the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?

The lack of sunlight during winter months can take its toll on productivity and energy levels in the workplace. During the winter months, employees often feel listless and less energetic and take longer in making decisions or completing projects. These can be signs pointing to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Employers should consider educating workers on the symptoms of SAD, and encourage them to seek help from the employee assistance program as needed for more severe symptoms that could lead to full-blown depression.

SAD is often difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can mirror other disorders, including clinical depression. To be diagnosed with SAD, an employee must have experienced depression and other symptoms over at least two consecutive winters, followed by non-depressed periods in the spring and summer months. There also must be no other rationale for the mood and behavior changes. If an employee experiences any of the following symptoms, or just feels depressed or routinely depleted of energy, he or she should ask a doctor whether the problem might be SAD and what treatment is recommended.

Symptoms of SAD to watch for include:

• Feelings of depressioon;

• Anxiety and irritability;

• Lack of energy;

• Lack of interest in pleasurable activities;

• Social avoidance;

• Increased appetite and junk-food cravings; and

• Difficulty concentrating.

Source: ComPsych; www.compsych.com.