Beat the Winter Blues

Seasonal depression

Also called Seasonal affective disorder, Winter blues, Winter depression, SAD

3 min plan40 min with every studyUpdated Sep 28, 2026

Who it's forA man who goes flat every winter: sleeping more, low energy and low mood, lifting in spring.

When to see a doctor

New or worse low mood, agitation or dark thoughts after starting an antidepressant or changing the dose: call the doctor right away.
Summer highs: days of high energy needing little sleep. It may be bipolar disorder. See a doctor before a light box, bupropion or an SSRI.
Low mood, no interest or no enjoyment, most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks. See your doctor; Low mood covers depression in full.
Diagnosed with winter depression and treatment is not helping.
An eye condition, or a medicine that makes you sensitive to light: ask before a light box.
Tired, cold, gaining weight and low together: ask for a thyroid test. Ask about bloods for B12, anemia and vitamin D too.
Loud snoring, gasping in sleep and tired all day: ask about Sleep apnea, which brings low mood with it.
Drinking more, using cannabis or other drugs, or low after coming off anabolic steroids. Tell the doctor.

I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. This is self-education. Every dose on this page is the one a label or trial used, quoted from it. It is not a prescription. Talk to a physician who has your history before any medicine here, and before a light box with an eye condition, a light-sensitizing medicine or bipolar disorder.