Which is a characteristic of Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern?

Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern, previously known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is characterized by a consistent temporal relationship between the change of seasons and the onset of depressive episodes. This means that individuals typically experience depressive symptoms that align with specific seasons—most commonly during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter.

This pattern emphasizes that the depressive episodes are not random but are predictably linked to the time of year. For example, someone with this disorder may feel well during the brighter months of spring and summer but start experiencing significant depressive symptoms as the days grow shorter in fall and winter. This contrasts with other phenomena like fluctuating moods or consistent symptoms throughout the year, which are not typical of this specific disorder.