Seasonal Affective Disorder & Light Therapy | Geenens Psychiatry

Long, gray winters can affect more than the temperature outside. For some people, shorter days and reduced exposure to sunlight can bring noticeable changes in mood, energy, concentration, and motivation.

This pattern is commonly associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. In places like Kansas City and throughout the Midwest, the darker fall and winter months can make these changes especially noticeable.

At Geenens Psychiatry, understanding how seasonal changes may influence mental health can be an important part of evaluating changes in mood and daily functioning.

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood disorder associated with changes in seasons. Symptoms commonly emerge during the fall or winter when daylight hours become shorter and may improve as spring approaches and exposure to natural light increases.

People experiencing seasonal changes in mood may notice symptoms such as:

• Low energy or fatigue

• Feeling unusually lethargic

• Difficulty concentrating

• Changes in mood

• Reduced motivation

• Feeling mentally or cognitively slowed

Not everyone who dislikes cold or cloudy weather has Seasonal Affective Disorder. However, when seasonal symptoms consistently interfere with your daily life, relationships, work, or overall well-being, it may be worth discussing them with a mental health professional.

Why Can Less Sunlight Affect Your Mood?

One explanation discussed in relation to Seasonal Affective Disorder involves melatonin, a hormone involved in the body's sleep-wake cycle.

Melatonin is secreted in response to darkness and suppressed by exposure to light. During winter, when mornings are darker and daylight hours are shorter, changes in light exposure may affect the body's biological rhythms.

One hypothesis is that these seasonal changes can contribute to feelings of fatigue, lethargy, reduced alertness, and cognitive dulling in susceptible individuals.

This relationship between light, biological rhythms, and mood is one reason bright light therapy is commonly considered for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

What Is Bright Light Therapy?

Bright light therapy involves sitting near a specially designed light box that provides much brighter illumination than normal indoor lighting.

We typically recommend using a 10,000-lux bright light for about 30 minutes at the beginning of the day.

The light is positioned approximately 18–24 inches away, with the eyes open so that the light reaches the retina. You generally don't need to stare directly into the light.

Morning exposure to bright light is intended to help influence the body's response to darkness and promote greater daytime alertness.

When Is Bright Light Therapy Used

We recommend beginning bright light therapy around September and continuing through the end of March, when days in the Midwest tend to be shorter and darker.

Consistency is important. Rather than waiting until there has been a long stretch of gray weather, people who experience a predictable seasonal pattern may discuss with their healthcare provider whether incorporating light therapy into a regular morning routine could be appropriate.

Bright light therapy isn't necessarily appropriate for everyone, and the ideal timing and approach can vary. If you're experiencing significant mood symptoms or already receiving psychiatric treatment, discuss light therapy with your healthcare professional before making it part of your treatment plan.

When Winter Feels Different

There is a difference between wishing for a sunny day and experiencing persistent seasonal changes that interfere with everyday life.

If every fall or winter you notice that you become significantly more tired, withdrawn, depressed, unmotivated, or unable to concentrate- and those symptoms improve as daylight returns- it may be worth paying attention to that pattern.

Keeping track of when symptoms begin, how long they last, and how they affect your functioning can provide useful information during a psychiatric evaluation.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment in the Kansas City Area

Seasonal mood symptoms don't always have a single solution. Depending on the individual, psychiatric care may involve evaluating symptoms, medical and psychiatric history, lifestyle factors, existing medications, sleep patterns, and other possible contributors to changes in mood.

Bright light therapy may be one part of an overall treatment approach when appropriate.

At Geenens Psychiatry, we focus on understanding the individual rather than treating symptoms in isolation. If changes in weather and daylight seem to have a significant effect on how you feel or function, a psychiatric evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to those changes and what treatment options may be appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seasonal Affective Disorder the same as depression?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is associated with depression that follows a recurring seasonal pattern, often beginning during fall or winter and improving during another part of the year.

How bright should a light therapy lamp be?

We recommend bright light therapy using a 10,000-lux light for approximately 30 minutes in the morning.

How close should I sit to a light therapy lamp?

Position the light approximately 18–24 inches from the eyes. Specific instructions can vary by device, so follow the manufacturer's directions and guidance from your healthcare provider.

When should bright light therapy be used?

We recommend morning use during the darker months, approximately September through the end of March here in the Midwest.

Should I talk to a psychiatrist about seasonal mood changes?

If seasonal changes in mood, energy, concentration, sleep, or motivation are persistent or interfering with your everyday life, discussing them with a mental health professional can help determine whether further evaluation or treatment is appropriate.

Feeling the Effects of the Changing Seasons?

If shorter days and long stretches of gray weather seem to affect your mood, energy, or ability to function, you don't have to determine the cause on your own.

Geenens Psychiatry provides personalized psychiatric care for patients in the Kansas City area.

Looking for Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment in Kansas City?

If seasonal depression is affecting your mood, energy, sleep, or daily life, we’re here to help.

Geenens Psychiatry provides personalized seasonal affective disorder (SAD) treatment in the Kansas City area, including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and individualized treatment options.

Call: (913) 392-2400

Website: geenenspsychiatry.com