Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms and Sunlight Exposure on Long Island
They may have low energy, they may be sleeping too much or sleeping not enough,
said Melissa Tuomi, a psychologist at Stony Brook Medicine, describing the onset of seasonal affective disorder during shorter autumn and winter days, Newsday reported.
Shorter days and colder temperatures bring distinct seasonal mood shifts for residents across Long Island, transitioning manageable evening commutes into somber after-dark travel. While many people adapt to the darker months, others experience seasonal affective disorder, a major depressive condition marked by low energy, hopelessness, and intense carbohydrate cravings. Melissa Tuomi noted that affected individuals often want to isolate or lose pleasure in normal activities during fall and winter rather than year-round. Research shows that approximately 5% of Americans experience the condition, though experts suggest many cases go uncounted because sufferers endure symptoms in silence until spring arrives.
Sunlight Exposure Heavily Influences Circadian Rhythms
Dr. Norman Rosenthal first named the condition in the 1980s after moving from South Africa to the United States and observing his own mood changes. While no single definitive cause exists, changes in sunlight exposure heavily influence circadian rhythms, which dictate sleep cycles and mood regulation. Physicians diagnose the condition after depression recurs in a seasonal pattern for two consecutive years.
Geography plays a major role in prevalence. People living farther from the equator face higher risks. Florida residents experience an estimated 1% prevalence rate, while New Hampshire reaches roughly 10%. Dr. Robin Tassinari, a professor of psychiatry and internal medicine at Albany Medical Center and Albany Medical College, explained that obtaining sunlight maintains serotonin levels to alleviate depression and regulate sleep cycles.
Mental Health Professionals Recommend Combined Approaches
Mental health professionals recommend a combined approach involving increased sun exposure, intentional social bonding to combat isolation, talk therapy, and prescribed antidepressant medication. Christopher Fisher, director of behavioral health at Northwell Health’s Zucker Hillside Hospital, emphasized that going outside stimulates the release of motivation-inducing dopamine. We get outside, we feel better, we feel more motivated to get outside to feel better, and we continue forward with that more positive, productive habit,
he said.
Another common intervention involves sitting in front of a light therapy box that emits 10,000 lux, mirroring the brightness of a spring day. Online retailers price these devices between $70 and $200. Dr. Ronald Brenner, chief of the behavioral health service line at Catholic Health, stated that combining light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication often provides the most effective treatment for the disorder.