DE HCR48

Designates February 2022 as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month in Delaware.

Recognizes SAD as a major depressive disorder classified in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) caused by biochemical imbalance related to reduced sunlight and shorter daylight hours in winter.

Notes that approximately 5% of American adults (17 million people) experience full-blown SAD, with another 10-20% experiencing milder symptoms, typically onset between ages 18-30.

Identifies symptoms including depression, loss of interest in activities, appetite changes, sleep pattern changes, fatigue, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and suicidal thoughts, lasting approximately 40% of the year for most sufferers.

Acknowledges that women are four times more likely than men to be diagnosed with SAD and that stigma often prevents sufferers from seeking treatment.