Livestream Event on Seasonal Affective Disorder
Date
Location
Overview
While many people feel less happy at times during cold, gloomy days during the winter, these “winter blues” are usually temporary and do not interfere with a person’s functioning. In contrast, some people may start to feel consistently “down” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter and begin to feel better in the spring with its longer daylight hours. In some cases, these mood changes are more serious and, as with all types of depression, can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about four to five months per year.
On October 26, 2021, NIMH conducted a livestream event on SAD. Matthew Rudorfer, M.D., chief of the Adult Psychopharmacology, Somatic, and Integrated Treatment Research Program at NIMH, discussed the signs, symptoms, treatments, and the latest research on SAD.