Specific Seratonin Re-uptake Inhibitors are most useful for the treatment of S.A.D though other groups can be tried if there is no response to these. Phototherapy and antidepressants are only used during the period the patient is suffering from depression. When conversion to mania in the Spring is a problem then Lithium may prove useful. More guidelines to treating S.A.D. Treatments for S.A.D. can be layered throughout the Winter starting with daily light treatment and progressing to medication as necessary. Assuming the patient presents in the Autumn when the symptoms are mild, a daily walk in the fresh air will help, as would aerobic exercise.
Patients can also help themselves by increasing the general lighting in their homes.
When not being used for actual treatment a lightbox can be left on for background lighting. Most days I was tired, moody, negative and depressed. I was also overweight and found it hard to concentrate. For the last month I have been using a lightbox for one hour every day and the effects have amazed me. I was sceptical about light treatment working for me, but after a week I had a lot more energy and felt marvellous.