Seasonal Affective Disorder

Education Series by Randy Hebert, MD, Medical Director

The leaves have turned, and winter is approaching. As the daylight hours shorten people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may start feeling down. SAD is a type of depression that happens in fall through winter and is related to the shortening of the daylight hours. Changing the clocks back to standard time as happened a few weeks ago can be a trigger.

Some people feel better with light therapy. Light therapy involves sitting in front of a light box for 20-60 minutes a day during the fall and winter months. Other people may benefit from talking to counselors.

The good news is that you do not have to suffer. There are effective treatments.

Pjrek, Edda, et al. “The efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 89.1 (2020): 17-24.