To be diagnosed with SAD, a person must meet the following criteria:

Seasonal affective disorder* is a form of depression also known as SAD, seasonal depression or winter depression. In the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), this disorder is identified as a type of depression – Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern.

Autumn anxiety is an annual increase in anxiety some people begin to feel during the autumn months. Experts say some causes of this anxiety may be due to beginning a new school year, the looming stress of the holiday season, or possible regret from not having achieved desired goals over the summer.

1. They must have symptoms of major depression or the more specific symptoms listed above.
2. The depressive episodes must occur during specific seasons (i.e., only during the winter months or the summer months) for at least 2 consecutive years.

Light therapy probably won’t cure seasonal affective disorder, nonseasonal depression or other conditions. But it may ease symptoms, increase your energy levels, and help you feel better about yourself and life. Light therapy can start to improve symptoms within just a few days.

Vitamin B-3 and Vitamin B-9 can help people with depression because B vitamins help the brain manage moods. Vitamin D, melatonin and St. John’s Wort are recommended for seasonal depression.

They found substantial evidence that a decrease in the vitamin B-12 serum correlates with an increase in depression. They also state that high vitamin B-12 status may be associated with better treatment outcome of depression. The researchers suggest people with depression take a 1-milligram supplement of B-12 daily.