Every winter for the past three years, Natalie has felt extremely depressed for a period of months and was unable to keep up with her responsibilities because of her low energy and difficulty concentrating. She always appears to feel better by early spring and is at her best during the summer. Which of the following DSM-5 diagnoses would best fit Natalie?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Natalie's symptoms are consistent with Major Depression--Seasonal Type, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of major depression that is related to changes in seasons and typically occurs in the winter months. The fact that Natalie's symptoms resolve in the spring and she feels better during the summer supports this diagnosis.

Every Winter for the Past Three Years, Natalie Has Felt