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Pharmacotherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

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Sleep and Sleep Disorders

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Summary

The current first-line treatment for patients with winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is bright-light therapy, that is exposure to strong artificial light visible to the eye. Patients at risk of light-induced eye damage, such as those using photosensitizing medication, need to consult an ophthalmologist before the bright-light therapy is started, and eventually at regular intervals thereafter. Antidepressant drugs have not gained much attention in the treatment of winter SAD. They are still a relatively unexplored mode of and best regarded as the second-line treatment. Preliminary data from randomized controlled trials suggest that several antidepressants may be effective. Continuing treatment throughout the winter season, or in some cases all the year round, is advisable to prevent relapses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland

    Timo Partonen

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  1. Timo Partonen
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© 2006 Landes Bioscience/Eurekah.com and Springer Science+Business Media

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Partonen, T. (2006). Pharmacotherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder. In: Sleep and Sleep Disorders. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-27682-3_12

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