Seasonal Affective

Disorder
Dr. Melissa Rudd, DNP, APRN, FNP, PMHNP-BC
 Objectives
Objectives
1. Define symptoms of seasonal affective disorder
2. Identify three treatments for SAD
3. Describe how SAD is different from MDD

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 Introduction

SAD is not considered a separate disorder but is a type of

depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with
symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months per year

Women> Men

Younger population

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 Pathology

• Individuals living at higher altitudes Alaska compared to Florida

• Low levels of vitamin D

• Vitamin D promotes serotonin

• Low levels of hypoexcretin/orexin neuropeptides

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Definitions
For winter-pattern SAD, additional specific symptoms may include:
•Oversleeping (hypersomnia)
•Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates
•Weight gain
•Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”)
Specific symptoms for summer-pattern SAD may include:
•Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
•Poor appetite, leading to weight loss
•Restlessness and agitation
•Anxiety
•Episodes of violent behavior
(National Institutes of Mental Health, 2022)
Symptoms of Depression
•Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
•Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
•Experiencing changes in appetite or weight
•Having problems with sleep
•Feeling sluggish or agitated
•Having low energy
•Feeling hopeless or worthless
•Having difficulty concentrating
•Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

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 Treatments
Light Therapy
Vitamin D (1-25OH) Greater than 30mg/dl
Psychotherapy
Antidepressant medications

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 Light Box Therapy

10,000 units LUX without UV

Sandkühler, J. F., Brochhagen, S., Rohde, P., Muscheidt, R. C., Grömer, T. W., Müller, H., & Brauner, J. M. (2022). 100,000 lumens to treat seasonal affective disorder: A
proof of concept RCT of Bright, whole-ROom, All-Day (BROAD) light therapy. Depression and Anxiety, 39(12), 760–769. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23281
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Psychotherapy Medications

Cognitive Behavioral therapy combined • Prozac

with light therapy • Bupropion
• Celexa
• Agomelantine (Europe & Australia)
• Moclobemide is a monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitor used to
treat certain types of mental
depression (Europe & Australia)

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References

National Institutes of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

Meesters, Y., & Gordijn, M. C. (2016). Seasonal affective disorder, winter type: current insights and treatment
options. Psychology research and behavior management, 9, 317–327. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S114906

Sandkühler, J. F., Brochhagen, S., Rohde, P., Muscheidt, R. C., Grömer, T. W., Müller, H., & Brauner, J. M. (2022).
100,000 lumens to treat seasonal affective disorder: A proof of concept RCT of Bright, whole-ROom, All-Day (BROAD)
light therapy. Depression and Anxiety, 39(12), 760–769. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23281

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 Thank you &
Questions
Dr. Melissa Rudd
mrudd@usa.edu