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Ever heard of the winter blues? The phrase describes that blah, low-energy feeling that can settle in as days grow shorter, colder and grayer this time of year.

As many as 10% to 20% of Americans may notice a mild dip in mood during the darker months, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But when that dip runs deep enough to disrupt daily life, it may be a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is depression that follows a seasonal pattern. It may be at play if you've noticed "significant changes in your mood and behavior when the seasons change," according to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Symptoms tend to return around the same time each year and can linger for four to five months.

Despite its reputation, SAD isn't limited to winter. There are two types:

SAD is also different from the "holiday blues." Family gatherings, travel and year-end deadlines can weigh on anyone, but SAD is driven by shifts in daylight rather than dates on the calendar, NIMH says.

Researchers haven't pinned down an exact cause, but several factors seem to work together. Genetics, brain chemistry and a body clock that's fallen out of sync could all play a part, Kelly Rohan, a psychologist at the University of Vermont, told NIH News in Health.

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