There are several ways to treat the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. The effectiveness of the different methods will vary from person to person. You are advised to try to see which works the best for you. Often a combination of different methods will be the most effective. Always consult a medical professional before embarking on any of these treatments or making big lifestyle changes.
Below we provide a brief overview of the different options for treating the winter blues. You can read more about these by clicking on the hyperlinks.
Light therapy
The onset of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) generally begins in the late fall, when the days become shorter, and subsides in the spring. For this reason the lack of sunlight is often suggested as a cause for the winter blues and exposure to some type of light source is recommended to treat SAD. The use of a light box is a highly effective and tested method. Taking daily walks outside or a temporary move to a locale with lots of sunshine also often alleviates the associated symptomatology. Click here to read more!
Antidepressant medications
Besides phototherapy or exposure to a source of artificial light, doctors often prescribe antidepressants to alleviate symptoms of winter blues. Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor medications or antidepressants from the SSRI class are frequently prescribed for sufferers of SAD. Examples of these kinds of prescription aids include such well-known brands as Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine) or Zoloft (sertraline). Click here to read more!
Psychotherapy
Along with light treatments or antidepressant therapy, doctors frequently suggest that patients seek psychological counseling as well. One of the most often used methods is Cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy where patients learn how to identify negative thoughts and behavioral patterns and replace them with more positive actions and concepts. Click here to read more!
Lifestyle changes
Sometimes even very small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in how you feel. Adding a little exercise to your daily routine, changing your diet or modifying your sleeping habits can help you beat the winter blues. Click here to read more!
Natural treatments
Natural treatments like acupuncture, massage or aromatherapy have also been proven to be viable treatment options. In fact, these alternative therapies has can be effective in treating adolescents or pregnant women who suffer from SAD and are unable to take antidepressant medications because of their adverse effects. Click here to read more!