Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (NIH)

As the days grow shorter in the fall, some people develop symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression with a recurring seasonal pattern. 

Several types of treatment can be helpful for SAD symptoms. They include antidepressant medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and light therapy—which involves daily exposure to bright artificial light every morning, from early fall until spring.

The evidence on dietary supplements for SAD is limited. Although low levels of vitamin D have been found in people with SAD, it’s unclear whether vitamin D supplementation can help relieve SAD symptoms. Very little research has been done on supplements other than vitamin D, so no conclusions can be reached about their effects.

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