Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and CBT Treatment

What is seasonal affective disorder and how is it different from depression?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a recognised subtype of depression characterised by a recurring seasonal pattern, most commonly with onset in autumn and remission in spring. Both the ICD-11 and DSM-5 classify SAD as a specifier of major depressive disorder. NICE recommends CBT and light therapy as evidence-based first-line treatments. SAD affects an estimated 2 million people in the UK. CBT adapted for SAD (CBT-SAD) has been shown in a 2015 American Journal of Psychiatry RCT to produce significantly better outcomes than light therapy at two-year follow-up. At The Lyceum Clinic in Chiswick, West London, Sanah Younis provides BABCP-accredited CBT for depression and SAD. No GP referral is required. Book a free 15-minute consultation.