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Seasonal Affective Disorder - References
A cold and dark winter can trigger depression in people who suffer from SAD. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Add more D to your diet
See a qualified health practitioner to find out if you are low in vitamin D, and if you should take large amounts under medical supervision to help improve mood and well-being
- Soak in the sun
Spend more time outdoors to help improve the regulation of important brain chemicals that affect mood
- Try light therapy
Reduce symptoms by using a full-spectrum fluorescent light during dark mornings or evenings
- Check out St. John’s wort
This well-known herbal remedy may improve mild to moderate depression; take 900 mg a day of a standardized extract
- Work in a workout
Get an hour of aerobic or anaerobic exercise three times a week in bright light to improve mood
Also indexed as:
- sad,
- seasonal affective disorder,
- seasonal affective disorder (SAD),
- seasonal depression,
- winter depression
About this treatment
1. Lee TM, Chan CC. Dose-response relationship of phototherapy for seasonal affective disorder: a meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999;99:315–23 [review].
2. Lewy AJ, Bauer VK, Cutler NL, et al. Morning vs evening light treatment of patients with winter depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998;55:890–6.
3. Eastman CI, Young MA, Fogg LF, et al. Bright light treatment of winter depression: a placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998;55:883–9.
4. Lingjaerde O, Foreland AR, Dankertsen J. Dawn simulation vs. lightbox treatment in winter depression: a comparative study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1998;98:73–80.
5. Eastman CI, Young MA, Fogg LF, et al. Bright light treatment of winter depression: a placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998;55:883–9.
6. Lewy AJ, Bauer VK, Cutler NL, et al. Morning vs evening light treatment of patients with winter depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998;55:890–6.
7. Vasile RG, Sachs G, Anderson JL, et al. Changes in regional cerebral blood flow following light treatment for seasonal affective disorder: responders versus nonresponders. Biol Psychiatry 1997;42:1000–5.
8. Partonen T, Lonnqvist J. Prevention of winter seasonal affective disorder by bright-light treatment. Psychol Med 1996;26:1075–80.
9. Lee TM, Chan CC. Dose-response relationship of phototherapy for seasonal affective disorder: a meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999;99:315–23 [review].
10. Lee TM, Chan CC, Paterson JG, et al. Spectral properties of phototherapy for seasonal affective disorder: a meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1997;96:117–21 [review].
11. Kogan AO, Guilford PM. Side effects of short-term 10,000-lux light therapy. Am J Psychiatry 1998;155:293–4.
12. Lingjaerde O, Foreland AR, Dankertsen J. Dawn simulation vs. lightbox treatment in winter depression: a comparative study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1998;98:73–80.
13. Terman M, Terman JS. Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with a high-output negative ionizer. J Altern Complement Med 1995;1:87–92.
14. Terman M, Terman JS, Ross DC. A controlled trial of timed bright light and negative air ionization for treatment of winter depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998;55:875–82.
15. Krauchi K, Reich S, Wirz-Justice A. Eating style in seasonal affective disorder: who will gain weight in winter? Compr Psychiatry 1997;38:80–7.
16. Krauchi K, Keller U, Leonhardt G, et al. Accelerated post-glucose glycaemia and altered alliesthesia-test in Seasonal Affective Disorder. J Affect Disord 1999;53:23–6.
17. Danilenko KV, Putilov AA, Russkikh GS, et al. Diurnal and seasonal variations of melatonin and serotonin in women with seasonal affective disorder. Arctic Med Res 1994;53:137–45.
18. Blum I, Vered Y, Graff E, et al. The influence of meal composition on plasma serotonin and norepinephrine concentrations. Metabolism 1992;41:137–40.
19. Christensen L. Effects of eating behavior on mood: a review of the literature. Int J Eat Disord 1993;14:171–83 [review].
20. Neumeister A, Konstantinidis A, Praschak-Rieder N, et al. Monoaminergic function in the pathogenesis of seasonal affective disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2001;4:409-20.
21. Van der Does AJ. The effects of tryptophan depletion on mood and psychiatric symptoms. J Affect Disord 2001;64:107-19.
22. Levitt AJ, Brown GM, Kennedy SH, Stern K. Tryptophan treatment and melatonin response in a patient with seasonal affective disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1991;11:74-5.
23. Lam RW, Levitan RD, Tam EM, et al. L-tryptophan augmentation of light therapy in patients with seasonal affective disorder. Can J Psychiatry 1997;42:303-6.
24. Ghadirian AM, Murphy BE, Gendron MJ. Efficacy of light versus tryptophan therapy in seasonal affective disorder. J Affect Disord 1998;50:23-7.
25. McGrath RE, Buckwald B, Resnick EV. The effect of L-tryptophan on seasonal affective disorder. J Clin Psychiatry 1990;51:162-3.
26. Birdsall TC. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Alternative Med Rev 1998;3:271–80.
27. Markowitz JS, Donovan JL, DeVane CL, et al. Effect of St John's wort on drug metabolism by induction of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme. JAMA 2003;290:1500–4.
28. Kim HL, Streltzer J, Goebert D. St. John’s wort for depression: a meta-analysis of well-defined clinical trials. J Nerv Ment Dis 1999;187:532–8 [review].
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31. Stumpf WE, Privette TH. Light, vitamin D and psychiatry. Role of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (soltriol) in etiology and therapy of seasonal affective disorder and other mental processes. *Psychopharmacology (Berl)* 1989;97:285–94 [review].
32. Lansdowne AT, Provost SC. Vitamin D3 enhances mood in healthy subjects during winter. *Psychopharmacology (Berl)* 1998;135:319–23.
33. Gloth FM III, Alam W, Hollis B. Vitamin D vs broad spectrum phototherapy in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. *J Nutr Health Aging* 1999;3:5–7.
34. Harris S, Dawson-Hughes B. Seasonal mood changes in 250 normal women. *Psychiatry Res* 1993;49:77–87.
35. Birdsall TC. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Alternative Med Rev 1998;3:271–80.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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