Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): What Medications Can Help?
When the days get shorter and sunlight dwindles, many people in New England notice a shift in mood. Residents of Massachusetts and New Hampshire know this all too well. For some, this is more than a case of the "winter blues." Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that typically occurs in the fall and winter months and can significantly impair daily functioning. At Dignity Brain Health, we offer compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric medication management through secure tele-psychiatry in Massachusetts (MA), New Hampshire (NH), and Florida (FL).
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
SAD is a subtype of major depressive disorder that follows a seasonal pattern, most commonly emerging during late fall or early winter and resolving in spring or summer. It is believed to be related to changes in light exposure, which can disrupt circadian rhythms, serotonin levels, and melatonin production.
Symptoms of SAD May Include:
Persistent low mood
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Fatigue and oversleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Increased appetite and weight gain
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
SAD is clinically significant and treatable. Understanding the role of medication is a key step toward recovery.
How Can Medication Help with SAD?
While light therapy is often recommended as a first-line treatment, psychiatric medication can be highly effective, particularly for individuals with moderate to severe symptoms. In fact, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for SAD.
A double-blind study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that sertraline significantly improved symptoms in SAD patients compared to placebo (Oren et al., 1996).
Medications work by stabilizing serotonin levels, which are often disrupted by reduced sunlight exposure.
Benefits of SAD Medications:
Reduce depressive symptoms
Improve sleep and energy
Help regulate appetite
Enhance motivation and daily functioning
First-Line Medications for SAD
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
SSRIs are the most well-studied class of medications for SAD.
Common options include:
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Citalopram (Celexa)
A randomized controlled trial demonstrated that fluoxetine significantly improved SAD symptoms when administered during the fall and winter months (Lam et al., 2006).
SSRIs are typically started in early fall and continued until spring.
SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)
Some patients who do not respond to SSRIs may benefit from SNRIs.
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) is a commonly prescribed SNRI for SAD.
In a placebo-controlled study, venlafaxine was shown to prevent the recurrence of winter depression when started in early fall (Parker et al., 2006).
Other Pharmacologic Options
Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL)
Bupropion is the only FDA-approved medication specifically indicated for the prevention of SAD.
It works differently from SSRIs/SNRIs by affecting norepinephrine and dopamine.
Typically started in early fall and continued through winter.
A large clinical trial published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that bupropion XL significantly reduced the incidence of SAD recurrence in high-risk patients (Modell et al., 2005).
Medication vs. Light Therapy: Can They Work Together?
Yes. Many patients benefit from combination treatment that includes both medication and light therapy. For example:
Morning light therapy to help regulate circadian rhythm
Medication to stabilize mood and prevent relapse
Your treatment plan should be tailored to your symptom severity, history, and lifestyle. Our providers at Dignity Brain Health offer personalized psychiatric care that integrates both modalities when appropriate.
Do I Need Medication Every Year?
Not necessarily. Some patients benefit from preventive treatment that starts in early fall and ends in spring, while others may only need medication during particularly difficult years.
Our team provides individualized evaluations to help determine whether ongoing medication is needed — or if non-medication approaches may be sufficient.
Is This Covered by Insurance?
Most major insurance plans cover telehealth psychiatric medication management for SAD. Check with your provider, or contact us via our contact form for more information.
Can I Get Medication Online in Massachusetts?
Absolutely. At Dignity Brain Health, we offer fully remote psychiatric medication management for SAD:
Initial psychiatric evaluation
Ongoing medication prescriptions
Virtual check-ins to track progress and adjust treatment
All appointments are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.
Genetic Testing to Guide Treatment
Finding the right medication can sometimes involve trial and error. We offer optional genetic testing to help identify which medications may work best for your body’s unique chemistry.
Resources for Massachusetts Residents
NAMI Massachusetts — Peer support and educational tools for mood disorders
Harvard Medical School — Research leader in psychiatry
McLean Hospital — Premier psychiatric care in Belmont, MA
Mass General Hospital Psychiatry
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Dread Winter Anymore
If your mood consistently drops when the seasons change, you're not alone — and you're not out of options. At Dignity Brain Health, we specialize in tele-psychiatry and medication management for SAD that’s personalized, evidence-based, and convenient.
👉 Start your your online psychiatric medication consultation process now
…and take the first step toward brighter days.
References (APA Format)
Lam, R. W., Levitt, A. J., Levitan, R. D., Enns, M. W., Morehouse, R., Michalak, E. E., & Tam, E. M. (2006). The CAN-SAD study: A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of light therapy and fluoxetine in patients with winter seasonal affective disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(5), 805-812. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.163.5.805
Modell, J. G., Rosenthal, N. E., Harriett, A. E., Krishen, A., Asgharnejad, M., & Walker, D. J. (2005). Seasonal affective disorder and its prevention by anticipatory treatment with bupropion XL. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66(5), 604–612. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.v66n0513
Oren, D. A., Moscovitch, A., Imber, S., & Rosenthal, N. E. (1996). A controlled trial of sertraline in the treatment of winter seasonal affective disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 153(7), 950-952. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.153.7.950
Parker, G. B., Roy, K., Wilhelm, K., Mitchell, P., Hadzi-Pavlovic, D., & Koschera, A. (2006). Efficacy of venlafaxine in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of patients with seasonal affective disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67(5), 751–757. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.v67n0513