Overview
- Clinicians note that seasonal affective disorder typically emerges in late fall or early winter as daylight wanes and affects a measurable share of adults.
- Common signs include oversleeping, carbohydrate cravings, weight gain, low energy, and difficulty keeping up with daily responsibilities.
- Experts recommend limiting evening exposure to blue light from screens, using device filters, and powering down as early as about 6 p.m. to protect sleep and mood.
- Morning daylight or a 10,000-lux light box is advised to help reset body clocks, with guidance to sit close to the device and consult a clinician if eye issues are present.
- Medical evaluations may include checks for vitamin D or magnesium deficiencies, and a Danish study linked the autumn time change to a short-term rise in depression, with professionals urging care if functioning is impaired.