As the days get shorter and the light changes, it’s common to notice a shift in mood, energy, or motivation. For most people, that shift is mild — a little more tired, a little less enthusiastic about mornings. But for others, it’s something more significant: a real, recurring depression that shows up like clockwork every fall and winter. That’s Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and here in Maryland — where shorter daylight hours and gray winters are the norm — it’s more common than many people realize.
SAD is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most often beginning in late fall and lifting again in spring. It’s not simply “the winter blues.” Clinically, it’s a recognized form of major depressive disorder with a seasonal specifier, meaning it meets the same diagnostic threshold as depression at other times of year — it just happens to be tied to the calendar.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can look different from person to person, but common symptoms include:
If these symptoms show up consistently in fall or winter, ease in spring or summer, and have done so for more than one year, it’s worth discussing with a psychiatric provider rather than waiting it out.
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but reduced sunlight during fall and winter is believed to disrupt the body’s internal clock and affect serotonin and melatonin levels — chemicals that play a major role in regulating mood, sleep, and energy. This is part of why Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) tends to be more common the farther someone lives from the equator, and why Maryland’s shorter winter days can be enough to trigger it in people who are otherwise well.
The encouraging news is that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) responds well to treatment, and options can be tailored to what fits your life:
A thorough evaluation first. Because Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) shares symptoms with other forms of depression and anxiety, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation helps confirm the pattern and rule out anything else that might be contributing.
Medication management. For many people, particularly those with moderate to severe symptoms, medication can make a significant difference. Our medication management service focuses on finding the right approach for you and adjusting it as the seasons change.
Light therapy. Daily use of a light therapy box, which mimics natural outdoor light, is a well-studied treatment for SAD and is often used alongside other approaches.
Consistent care through the season. Because SAD follows a predictable pattern, ongoing follow-up — including through our telepsychiatry services — makes it easier to catch symptoms early and adjust treatment before they take hold.
How is SAD different from just disliking winter? SAD involves the same symptoms as clinical depression — persistent low mood, fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite — occurring in a seasonal pattern, not simply a preference for warmer weather or more sunlight.
Can SAD start suddenly, even if I’ve never had it before? Yes. SAD can develop at any point in life, and some people notice it for the first time after a move, a major life change, or simply as they get older.
Do I need to wait until I’m severely depressed to seek help? No. Early treatment, especially before symptoms fully set in, tends to be more effective. If you notice the pattern starting, that’s the right time to reach out.
Is light therapy a replacement for medication? Not necessarily. For some people light therapy alone is enough; for others, it works best combined with medication. Your provider can help determine what fits your symptoms.
If fall and winter have been hard on your mood in the past, you don’t have to wait for symptoms to peak before getting support. A proactive evaluation now can make this season easier than the last.
In the event of an emergency outside our regular business hours, please call 911 or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for immediate assistance or visit your nearest emergency room.
