Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment Options

Key takeaways

• Light Therapy and Does It Help S.A.D.?

• The Battle to Maintain Seasonal Wellness

• Seasonal Affective Disorder: What Is It & How to Overcome It?

What is Light Therapy and Does It Help S.A.D.?

In a previous blog post, we shared tips on how to overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD), a form of depression that affects a person’s mental health and occurs after a significant change in seasons. And one of the ways we discussed managing your SAD symptoms was through the use of artificial lighting, also known as light therapy boxes.

What Is Light Therapy and How Does It Work? Light therapy involves the use of a light therapy box that helps create the illusion of natural sunlight. It sounds simple enough, but experts believe this type of lighting device can actually influence the chemicals in your brain that affect your sleeping patterns and mood. Therefore, its daily exposure may help minimize your depression-like symptoms ( Mayo Clinic ).

Your treatment may begin as early as fall, when the days start to get shorter and your symptoms begin to affect your mental health and social behaviors (i.e. lack of motivation, feeling tired, sleeping in longer, etc.). Your doctor may prescribe 15-30 minutes (or more) of light box therapy each day, beginning in the early hours to give your brain and body the illusion of waking up to natural sunlight.

The Battle to Maintain Seasonal Wellness

In an earlier blog , we looked at common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and approached methods of treatment. We wanted to revisit and further examine this topic, since this year has introduced new and unique stressors. Keep reading as we take another look at the battle to maintain season wellness.

A Type of Depression As its name suggests, SAD is a type of depression experienced with seasonal changes. This usually happens in the shift from fall to winter and is often categorized by an overwhelming sensation of despair.

Possible Causes So, what causes SAD? Good question. A specific source is still unknown, but the most popular and valid explanation is reduced available sunlight during winter months. And this makes the most sense based on how sunlight affects the body.

Seasonal Affective Disorder: What Is It & How to Overcome It?

All work and no play make for a dull winter! Why is it that when the temperature drops and the evenings grow darker, our precious free time seems to dwindle away. During the winter months, you may feel that all you do is eat, work, and go to sleep—with very little excitement in-between. The colder temperatures and record snowfalls may explain why you’re spending more time indoors. But is there another reason to explain why you’d rather sleep-in all day than go to work? Or why you’d prefer to stay indoors than meet up with friends for dinner? Perhaps, something else is affecting your mental health and wellness.

If you’re wondering why you always feel tired, isolated, or even lonely during the winter months of the year, you may be one of the 5% of Americans living with seasonal depression ( American Psychiatric Association ).

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD ) is precisely what it sounds like. It’s a form of depression that manifests itself whenever there’s a major shift in seasons. For many of us, we may experience symptoms of SAD during the late fall and winter months, but it’s not unusual to experience similar symptoms around the spring or summer months, as well.

When to reach out

If symptoms are affecting relationships, work, school, sleep, or daily routines, professional support can help you sort through what is happening and choose a realistic next step.

MHCS provides therapy and mental health support for individuals, couples, families, teens, and adults.