Medication for SAD

Light therapy is enough to alleviate the symptoms of most SAD sufferers. But for others where relief is only partial, a combination of light therapy and medication is used.

And where patients find it difficult to use light therapy for whatever reason, drugs can help reduce many of the symptoms of SAD such as depression and fatigue.

Many people are reluctant to take drugs which are designed to bring about mood changes. But it's important to be open-minded while still cautious about possible drug-based solutions for SAD, weighing up the possible side-effects against the benefits of reducing the symptoms of SAD with your doctor.

There are no specific drugs designed for SAD patients – general anti-depressants of various types are used. You should discuss any potential medication or treatment with your doctor. Patients usually only need to be treated if they need medication during the autumn and winter months. However some patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder prefer to take anti-depressants before the onset of symptoms to prevent them appearing, while others prefer to wait for the first signs of SAD to begin before starting any necessary medication. Dosages generally need to be adjusted along with the light levels as the seasons change.

The SSRI (selective serotonin uptake inhibitor) type drugs widely used these days for depression are known to increase serotonin levels and are often prescribed by doctors for Seasonal Affective Disorder. They include

• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• paroxetine (Seroxat)
• sertraline (Lustral)

Other types are drugs which have been used by doctors to treat SAD successfully are tricyclic anti-depressants and monoamine inhibitors but they may have more side effects than the newer SSRI drugs.