Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up. This condition is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It usually happens during the winter. A less common type of SAD happens in the summer. What causes SAD? Some experts think it's a lack of sunlight during winter, when the days are shorter. In the United States, it is much more common in northern states. Light therapy, in which patients expose themselves to a special type of light for 30 minutes every day often helps.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a psychological condition in which individuals typically experience symptoms of depression during fall/winter months which remit during the spring/summer months. There are several proposed hypotheses put forward to explain the condition, as well as a range of effective treatment methods available to address the symptoms.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment

Natural Remedies for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Genetics of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Latest Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) News and Research

Novel midday bright light therapy decreases symptoms of depression in bipolar patients

Daily exposure to bright white light at midday significantly decreased symptoms of depression and increased functioning in people with bipolar disorder, a recent Northwestern Medicine study found.

11 Oct 2017

Study reveals link between tanning dependence and other addictive behaviors

Despite the known dangers of exposure to ultraviolet light, many people continue to sunbathe and use indoor tanning beds with some users exhibiting a dependence to tanning. A new study from the Yale School of Public Health finds that such dependence is also associated with other addictive behaviors.

21 Mar 2017

UCSF study finds specific molecular-genetic mechanism that links sleep and seasonal depression

A newly discovered human gene mutation appears to contribute both to unusual sleep patterns and to heightened rates of seasonal depression, according to new research from UC San Francisco.

23 Feb 2016

Survey provides no evidence that depressive symptoms vary from season to season

A large-scale survey of U.S. adults provides no evidence that levels of depressive symptoms vary from season to season, according to new research published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The findings are inconsistent with the notion of seasonal depression as a commonly occurring disorder.

21 Jan 2016

Lucimed offers Luminette light therapy glasses for people suffering from seasonally induced issues

For millions of people, the arrivalof fall and winter are unwelcome events. A change in seasons often brings a change in their physical and mental health, due to fewer hours of sunlight.

31 Oct 2015

Study: Bright light therapy reduces depression and agitation in dementia sufferers

Dementia is most often associated with memory loss, but seniors who suffer from the condition also experience depression and agitation. These symptoms are often treated with medication.

29 Sep 2015

Environmental stresses can help trigger depression in people vulnerable to SAD, post-holiday blues

The first Monday after the holidays can be a depressing time for people coping with a post-holiday letdown and a type of depression triggered by short days called seasonal affective disorder.

6 Jan 2014

Psychiatrist offers tips for dealing with holiday stress and sadness problems of the season

During the holidays, the goal should be to set the course somewhere "between Hallmark and heartache," a Vanderbilt psychiatrist says. In other words, don't strive for the perfect (you won't achieve it), and recognize and deal head-on with some of the stressors of the season.

23 Dec 2013

Study reveals benefits of bright light in treating anxiety

The bright light headset maker Valkee today announced the results of a new groundbreaking bright light study, showing statistically significant positive results in acutely alleviating anxiety symptoms. The world's first randomized, fully sham-controlled double blind trial of bright light treatment administered via ear canals brings sought-after new data to support the bright light studies carried out internationally since the 1980s.

21 Nov 2013

Study shows that individuals with SAD misreport sleep patterns due to depression

Lying awake in bed plagues everyone occasionally, but for those with seasonal affective disorder, sleeplessness is routine. University of Pittsburgh researchers report in the Journal of Affective Disorders that individuals with seasonal affective disorder -a winter depression that leads to loss of motivation and interest in daily activities-have misconceptions about their sleep habits similar to those of insomniacs.

28 Jun 2013

Northwestern Medicine expert offers tips to battle seasonal affective disorder

Winter is in full force. With short days and less exposure to sunlight, everyone feels less energetic and more people are vulnerable to depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or winter depression, is a mood disorder related to seasonal variations of light. Symptoms start in late fall and oftentimes last until April or early spring. It affects between 10 to 20 percent of Americans, primarily younger adults and women.

10 Feb 2013

Study aims to help adult men and women with SAD

If winter's long nights and cold weather have you feeling depressed, a new research study could lift your spirits. The study, lead by Janis Anderson, PH.D., an associate psychologist in the Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of Psychiatry, aims to help adult (ages 21-64) men and women with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by comparing two new types of light technologies to determine which one works better.

20 Jan 2012

New First Choice infographic explores issue of SAD and winter blues

First Choice, one of the UK's leading leisure travel companies, has released an infographic that sheds light on how the lack of sunshine during the winter months is affecting a large proportion of the population in northern countries.

24 Nov 2011

Transcendental Meditation reduces symptoms of PTSD in veterans just within 8 weeks

Veterans of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars showed a 50 percent reduction in their symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after just eight weeks of practicing the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique, according to a pilot study published in the June 2011 issue of Military Medicine.

2 Jun 2011

Treating depression: A vital step in cancer recovery

With all of the stresses of today’s modern world, depression is unfortunately becoming a common household word for many people in this country and abroad. During the cold winter months, many also struggle with seasonal depression or “winter blues,” known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Depression can be caused by any number of factors, such as chronic stress, inactivity, hormone or neurotransmitter imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, medication side effects, chronic inflammation, or lack of adequate sunshine exposure, among others.

20 Feb 2011

NatureBright's light therapy product recommended for relieving Seasonal Affective Disorder

The light therapy product Sun Touch Plus from NatureBright has been recommended by Dr. Chris Idzikowski from the Edinburgh Sleep Centre for relieving Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Dr. Idzikowski is a pioneer in the area of sleep science and chairs the British Sleep Society.

14 Feb 2011

Winter depression is more common in women than men

As the winter months approach bringing holidays and good cheer, certain health issues may arise that women should have on their radar. From mental health issues like stress, depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), to physical concerns like skin care, the winter can certainly pack a punch.

6 Jan 2011

Anxiety in school is seasonal and age dependent: Pediatric psychiatrists

With summer fading, anxiety is on the rise for some students anticipating the return of school. But it isn't just the first days of classes that can provoke angst -- anxiety in school is seasonal and age dependent, say pediatric psychiatrists.

2 Sep 2010

Latest achievements in brain research and treatment for mental disorders

Mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, addiction and schizophrenia are the core challenge of most health care systems around the world. In the EU alone, each year 27% of the total adult population - this corresponds to 83 Million citizens - suffer from mental disorders. Depression alone affects almost 20 million ranking in the EU as the most disabling disorder of all diseases.

30 Aug 2010

23rd ECNP Press conference on impact of circadian rhythms on human brain

All humans are synchronised to the rhythmic light-dark changes that occur on a daily basis. Rhythms in physiological and biochemical processes and behavioural patterns persist in the absence of all external 24-hour signals from the physical environment, with a period that is close to 24 hours

30 Aug 2010

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Overview

Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment

Natural Remedies for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Feature Articles

Genetics of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Latest Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) News and Research

Novel midday bright light therapy decreases symptoms of depression in bipolar patients

Study reveals link between tanning dependence and other addictive behaviors

UCSF study finds specific molecular-genetic mechanism that links sleep and seasonal depression

Survey provides no evidence that depressive symptoms vary from season to season

Lucimed offers Luminette light therapy glasses for people suffering from seasonally induced issues

Study: Bright light therapy reduces depression and agitation in dementia sufferers

Environmental stresses can help trigger depression in people vulnerable to SAD, post-holiday blues

Psychiatrist offers tips for dealing with holiday stress and sadness problems of the season

Study reveals benefits of bright light in treating anxiety

Study shows that individuals with SAD misreport sleep patterns due to depression

Northwestern Medicine expert offers tips to battle seasonal affective disorder

Study aims to help adult men and women with SAD

New First Choice infographic explores issue of SAD and winter blues

Transcendental Meditation reduces symptoms of PTSD in veterans just within 8 weeks

Treating depression: A vital step in cancer recovery

NatureBright's light therapy product recommended for relieving Seasonal Affective Disorder

Winter depression is more common in women than men

Anxiety in school is seasonal and age dependent: Pediatric psychiatrists

Latest achievements in brain research and treatment for mental disorders

23rd ECNP Press conference on impact of circadian rhythms on human brain

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Overview

Feature Articles

Genetics of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Latest Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) News and Research

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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