Do You Have Seasonal Affective Disorder? Take This Quiz!

While a seasonal affective disorder quiz isn't a formal diagnostic tool, the result can help you decide if you should follow up with a mental health professional. Many people complain about experiencing the "winter blues." While it's natural to feel slightly drowsier than usual during the cold, dark winter months, with your run of the mill "winter blues," how those symptoms affect you differs from a serious case of seasonal affective disorder. The following quick, 60-second seasonal affective disorder quiz will help you take steps towards determining which of the two describes your winter mood. Give it a try!

What should I do with my result?

Remember, this quiz isn't a formal diagnostic tool. Seasonal affective disorder (and other forms of depression) can manifest in different ways for different people. This is why you should follow up with a mental health professional to look at the specifics of your case. Even if they don't diagnose you with seasonal affective disorder in particular, they may still conclude that you have clinical depression or another disorder that's affecting your mood. Whatever the case is – even if you do have seasonal affective disorder – don't worry; treatment for mental illnesses doesn't haveto mean taking pills for the rest of your life just to feel happy. In fact, research shows that there are several potential natural depression remedies that may spare you the side effects of conventional treatments. As with the diagnostic process, you'll want to consult with a mental health professional before replacing your prescribed treatment with these solutions. But the great thing about natural depression remedies is that they have the potential to do more than just treat your mental illness; they can make your life better overall. And who doesn't want that! These potential natural remedies include:

• Removing processed foods from your diet
• Exercising more
• Using essential oils
• Seeing a therapist

In the case of seasonal affective disorder in particular, doctors often prescribe phytotherapy.

This involves using a specialized lamp to trigger chemicals in the brain similar to those that sunshine triggers in the summer months. This pinpoints one of the key causes of seasonal affective disorder. During the winter months, the reduced levels of sunlight can affect both your serotonin and melatonin levels. In the case of serotonin, your body will produce too little of it, causing a drop in your mood. Meanwhile, your body will produce too much melatonin, which is responsible for making you feel drowsy. This is why people with seasonal affective disorder will often complain of feeling sleepy and lethargic during the winter.

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