Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), also known as "winter depression" or "winter blues" is a pattern of seasonal depression, occurring at the same time each year beginning in late fall or early winter months and ending in spring. We offer FREE light therapy to all University of New Hampshire students, faculty and staff. To make an appointment and learn more about SAD, please visit http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/sad-lighttherapy_main.html

1. SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder

2. “Winter
Blues”
Have
You
Feeling
Down?

3. What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
 Winter Blues that impact your day-to-day functioning
 Occurs during the winter months (generally October – April)
 Form of depression relieved during the spring and summer months

4. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is a real illness with sometimes severe symptoms
Our “biological internal clocks” (circadian rhythms)
shift when seasons change in response to the
changes in sunlight patterns
People with SAD have a difficult time adjusting to the
shortage of sunlight in the winter months

5. Who Gets Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Anyone.
• Young people and women are at the highest risk
• 25% percent of the population suffer from mild SAD
• 5% suffer from a more severe form of the disorder
What causes SAD?
Melatonin is believed to cause symptoms of depression and is
produced at increased levels in the dark, which is increased in
the winter months.

6. Symptoms
of
Seasonal Affective Disorder
 Increased sadness
 Increased appetite, including craving of carbohydrates
 Higher irritability
 Increased anxiety
 Increased weight
 Increased sleep, lower quality rest
 Lack of energy
 Problems concentrating
 Social and interpersonal strain
 Menstrual difficulties

7. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Treatment
There is no need to wait for the spring months to overcome SAD!
Follow these steps to treat your case of “winter blues”
 Spend time outdoors during the day
 Arrange your residence/work space to receive more sun
 Regular exercise, particularly outside
 Eat meals that have limited amounts of processed food
 Increase intake of fruits and vegetables
 Light therapy can suppress secretion of melatonin
(Individuals sit in front of the light box for a few minutes daily while they
read or do other activities)
 Antidepressant medications may help if you are severely
affected by SAD

8. Light Therapy at Health Services
For Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
FREE
Light Therapy
is available to all
UNH students,
faculty, and staff.
Appointments / Information:
(603) 862-3823|Health Services, Room 249
www.unh.edu/health-services

9. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Treatment
There is no need to wait for the spring months to overcome SAD!
Health Services
Make an appointment with a Physician or a Nurse Practitioner at
Health Services if you think that you may have SAD by calling
(603) 862-1806.
Light Therapy is available for free to all UNH students, faculty, and
staff by calling (603) 862-3823 or visiting Health Services, Room 249.
Counseling Center
You may want to make an appointment with a Psychologist at the
Counseling Center by calling (603) 862-2090.

10. Seasonal Affective Disorder
Additional Resources
Book:
 Winter Blues: Banishing the Blues of Seasonal Affective Disorder, Rosenthal, N.E. (1998).
Available for check-out in the Health Services Resource Library, 2nd Floor
Web Sites:
 UNH Health Services, www.unh.edu/health-services
 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, www.mayoclinic.com
 Psychology Information Online, www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/sad.htm