About this episode
In this episode, we interview the doctor who first identified seasonal affective disorder (back in 1984!) and went on to develop treatments. Even when days are short (but getting longer, little by little) and skies are gray, you don’t have to suffer with a bleak outlook. Find out what you can do to counteract this common but serious problem.
At The People’s Pharmacy, we strive to bring you up?to?date, rigorously researched insights and conversations about health, medicine, wellness and health policies and health systems. While these conversations intend to offer insight and perspective, the content is provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medical care or treatment.
How You Can Listen:
You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EST on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, through your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on Feb. 9, 2026.
One of the most effective treatments for SAD and the similar but less severe winter blues is bright light therapy. Not all sufferers respond to light therapy alone, however. Dr. Rosenthal describes the additional approaches that improve people’s response. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on November 13, 2023.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
By now, many people are aware that some individuals have a hard time with short days and long nights. Their appetites and sleep patterns may change, and they may retreat from social activities because they can’t get energized. They have trouble concentrating and may become irritable.
It’s as if they get depressed every year at the same time, on cue. Psychiatrists estimate that about 5 percent of the population experiences seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. That could be as many as 10 million Americans. At times, physicians may prescribe antidepressants, but usually the treatment that works best for SAD is light. Evidence suggests that the lack of sunlight, especially when someone feels stressed, is a prime trigger for seasonal affective disorder.
Is SAD Linked to Latitude?
The further from the equator you get, the more pronounced are seasonal differences in daylight. Think of a place above the Arctic Circle, for example, like Tromsø, Norway. In the summertime, t
