SAD is typically an inherited disorder, Light Therapy Products says. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved with depression and memory, on shorter days. Less than 1 percent of the population in Florida is affected by SAD, whereas nearly 10 percent of the population in Alaska is affected by SAD, Holmes says. Other symptoms include feelings of misery and guilt, irritability, tension, stress, fatigue, and changes in daily routines. The symptoms that are associated with SAD fade in the spring.
Light therapy includes wearing glasses with different color lenses.
Click on images for larger sizes. Treatments Antidepressants and medications can be used to treat seasonal depression. However, one treatment that has proven effective is the use of light therapy, which consists of sitting in front of bright lights for various periods of time, Light Therapy Products says. Viewing light boxes for anywhere from a half hour to multiple hours daily allows the treatment to become effective within a few days. These drugs, however, can often increase sleepiness.