Overview
The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) was developed by Norman E. Rosenthal and colleagues at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It is widely used to screen for seasonality in mood and behavior — including classic winter patterns and summer patterns — and is treated as public domain for clinical and research use with attribution.
What this online version measures
You indicate when you typically feel worst (winter, summer, both, other, or none), rate seasonal change in six areas that form the Global Seasonality Score (GSS) — sleep length, social activity, mood, weight, appetite, and energy (each 0–4; total 0–24) — and rate how much of a problem seasonal change is for you (none to disabling).
How scores are often interpreted (screening guidance, not a diagnosis):
- GSS 0–7 — little seasonality on this measure
- GSS 8–10 — milder seasonality / range often discussed with “winter blues”
- GSS 11–24 — marked seasonality; common research screens for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) also require at least moderate problem severity and a winter and/or summer “feel worst” pattern (Kasper et al.)
This is an educational screening tool, not a medical diagnosis. SAD and related conditions require clinical evaluation. Light therapy and other treatments should only be considered with a qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SPAQ?
The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) was developed by Rosenthal and colleagues at NIMH. It screens for seasonal changes in sleep, social activity, mood, weight, appetite, and energy, and whether those changes are a problem — including winter and summer patterns.
How is the SPAQ scored?
Six change items form the Global Seasonality Score (GSS), from 0 to 24. A separate item rates problem severity. Pattern (winter, summer, both, other, or none) helps interpret the type of seasonality. Common research screens for SAD combine GSS ≥ 11, at least moderate problem, and winter and/or summer “feel worst” months.
Does the SPAQ diagnose seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
No. It is a screening and self-reflection tool. SAD and related conditions require clinical evaluation. Do not start light therapy or medication based on an online score alone.
Winter vs summer seasonality — what is the difference?
Winter-pattern seasonality (feeling worst in winter) is the classic SAD presentation in many northern regions. Summer-pattern seasonality (feeling worst in summer) is less common but recognized. This SPAQ version asks which pattern fits you before rating how strongly symptoms change with the seasons.
What is the SPAQ seasonal pattern test?
The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) (Rosenthal / NIMH, public domain) screens for seasonality in mood and behavior — including winter and summer patterns. Six items form the Global Seasonality Score (GSS 0–24); common research screens for seasonal affective disorder also consider problem severity and when you feel worst. This is educational screening, not a diagnosis of SAD.
Related free screenings
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References
Rosenthal, N. E., Bradt, G. H., & Wehr, T. A. (NIMH). Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) — public domain. Screening criteria commonly cited: Kasper, S., Wehr, T. A., Bartko, J. J., Gaist, P. A., & Rosenthal, N. E. (1989). Epidemiological findings of seasonal changes in mood and behavior. Archives of General Psychiatry, 46(9), 823–833. See also Rosenthal, N. E. (clinical SPAQ materials).