DEFEATING SAD (SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER)

Light therapy pioneer Rosenthal offers an all-in-one resource aimed at those suffering from seasonal affective disorder.

The author, one of the original scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health who first described seasonal affective disorder, shares his deep knowledge of the condition characterized as “regular depressions that occur in the fall and winter.” His differentiation between SAD and the “winter blues” clarifies the severity of each, and a Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire is included to help readers self-diagnose. Rosenthal covers the various scientific theories behind SAD’s origins (including biology, light deprivation, and stress) and gives deep-dive examinations of various treatments. Light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy have proven particularly helpful for SAD sufferers, but the author consistently emphasizes that it’s the combination of various treatments that actually makes the biggest difference: “The word combine is the most important word in this book, because it emphasizes the value of adding one useful technique to another. Each one may contribute to your overall improvement. Each may make only a small difference, but collectively they can make a huge difference.” Written clearly and concisely, this guide eschews overly scientific “doctor speak.” Instead, Rosenthal at times gets a little too basic when discussing the benefits of healthy eating and exercise and lamenting that SAD is still not part of the “general sphere of knowledge.” Still, he does an admirable job in making his subject not only relatable, but compelling, charmingly dropping in quotes from William Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot, and Emily Dickinson to drive home certain points. An exhaustive list of medications used to treat SAD (along with their side effects and benefits) emphasizes Rosenthal’s desire to present all possible therapies so readers can pick and choose (and combine) what works for them.

An extensive primer covering basic SAD knowledge and new developments in diagnosis and treatment.