How to treat seasonal affective disorder?

Several options: Anti-depressant medications like fluoxetine, sertraline, & other ssris can be helpful to improve symptoms. Bupropion can prevent symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, light therapy (using specialized lamps), dawn stimulation or negative air ionization are also used. Modafinil has been shown in some studies to be effective for sad. Melatonin use in the afternoon and vitamin d also may help.

Light and medication: Seasonal affective do, can be treated with bright light exposure equal to the light and type of light emitted from the sun. This typically is done in the early am hours, ie 4 am. Medications can also be helpful. Usually a low dose of an antidepressant, is added, or if on an antidepressant the dose may be increased.

Agree w Dr. Altman: SAD is now referred to as Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern in DSM 5. It is a subtype of depression. Treating seasonal affective disorder: Light therapy can be very effective. Psychotherapy and psychotropic medications can also be beneficial. Consider a tropical vacation when it is cold back home. I like using wellbutrin. See: