Women get SAD more often. Men get overlooked.

Women are diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder about four times as often as men, but the real difference isn’t just numbers — it’s how it shows up. And yes, coping strategies probably should be tuned a little differently.

By late winter (January through February), most SAD sufferers are at their worst. Women tend to report the “classic” symptoms: sleeping too much, craving carbs, gaining weight, feeling heavy and tired. Men are more likely to show irritability, anger bursts, social withdrawal, and sometimes increased alcohol use. The problem is that men’s symptoms don’t look like textbook depression, so they get dismissed as “having a rough month” or just being moody.

For coping strategies: light therapy is the same for everyone — get bright light in the morning. But beyond that, the priorities shift. Women often benefit from social connection and structure (group walks, scheduled activity). Men often need an outlet for the irritability —