What treatments can help? 

Whether or not your depression seems to be seasonal, it’s ok to ask for help at any time – you don’t need to wait to see if there’s a pattern. 

This section covers some of the treatments which may help. 

How can I access treatment? 

The first step is usually to visit your GP. If you’re given a diagnosis of SAD, this will be based on whether your symptoms repeatedly follow a seasonal pattern, usually for two or more years – it doesn’t depend on the specific season or time of year when you’re affected. 

Our guide to seeking help for a mental health problem has information about talking to your doctor about your mental health, including what might happen at the appointment and making your voice heard

“I was well into adulthood before I began to recognise a pattern. Initially I noticed that I often took more sick leave from my job in the winter months.” 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines say you should be offered the same types of treatments for SAD as for other types of depression, including talking therapies and/or medication. This is because there isn’t currently enough evidence to show whether or not particular treatments help with SAD. 

You can read the full guidelines on the NICE website, including recommendations on treating SAD. This information uses the term ‘seasonal depression’ to describe SAD. 

Talking therapies 

There are many different talking therapies that can be effective in treating depression. Our pages on treatment for depression and talking therapy and counselling have more information on these treatments, and information on how to access them

“My energy levels fluctuated between autumn/winter and spring/summer. I absolutely dreaded the onset of darker days and felt that I was literally shutting down.” 

Medication 

You might be offered medication, either on its own or in combination with being recommended a talking therapy. 

Our pages on treatment for depression and antidepressants have more information. 

“Antidepressants have helped to put me in a place where I was more able to cope with counselling. This required a lot of hard work and I had to accept a completely different way of thinking.” 

Medication really helps some people but isn’t right for others. Before deciding to take any drug, it’s important to make sure you have all the facts you need to make an informed choice. 

See our pages on medication for more information. 

Our pages on coming off medication give guidance on how to come off medication safely. 

Light therapy 

Some people say they find it helpful to use a light box – a device that gives off strong white or blue light – or a lamp, or an alarm clock that simulates dawn. This is sometimes called light therapy. 

There is currently insufficient evidence to show whether light therapy works, although some people find it helpful. More research needs to be done to establish whether it is effective and why some people find it helpful and others don’t. 

Light therapy might not be suitable for you if you’re also taking St John’s wort (or other alternative treatments), as some treatments such as St John’s wort can make your skin more sensitive to light. 

If you decide to try using a light box or lamp, you may wish to discuss this with your doctor or health care professional who can advise on whether it’s suitable for you to try. If you have existing eye problems or you use a light box regularly, it’s also advisable to talk to an optician and to have regular eye check-ups. 

“Using a light box wasn’t perfect but the change was tangible… a real shift and I began to cope better with the dark days and didn’t have the all encompassing desire to get back into bed and stay there.” 

Other treatments 

You might also decide to try other treatments alongside, or instead of, talking therapies or medication. These might include: 

  • arts and creative therapies 
  • complementary and alternative therapies 
  • ecotherapy (nature-based treatments) 

Your doctor may be able to refer you to some of these. 

For more information see our pages on nature and mental health

“I approached my GP and reported my symptoms but, as my antidepressant was increased, this just added another degree of sedation.” 

What if I don’t feel better? 

Your doctor should offer you regular appointments to check how you’re doing, and see how well any treatment is working for you. Different things work for different people, and if a particular medication or talking therapy doesn’t work for you, your doctor should be able to offer an alternative. 

If you’ve tried a range of treatments and none of them have helped, your doctor might refer you for further support.

For more suggestions, see our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem.

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