Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year. Approximately half a million people in the United States suffer from winter SAD. Seasonal affective disorder occurs in climates where there is less sunlight at certain times of the year. Symptoms of Seasonal affective disorder includes fatigue, depression, and social with-drawl.

You may experience changes in your mood:

-Anxiety-Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy-Changes in your sleep pattern: Insomnia or sleeping too much-Decrease in energy – Changes in your appetite or increased appetite for Carbohydrate-Fluctuation in weight gain or loss

The traditional methods of treating SAD?

When struggling with SAD, there are a handful of options that you are typically recommended to try:1. Light Therapy Bright Light Boxes, or SAD Lamps, are designed to produce light that mimics the light you receive on a sunny, summer day. SAD lamps stimulate sunlight which helps trigger the brain to release serotonin, known as the “feel-good” hormone. Normally, you will set up the light facing you, soaking in the light for at least 20 minutes each morning. Patients report feeling their SAD symptoms subside after a week of using the light therapy. Light Therapy Lamp $35.99

2.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is type of psychotherapy that is effective for SAD. SAD relies on basic techniques of CBT such as identifying negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive thoughts along with a technique called behavioral activation. Behavioral activation seeks to help the person identify activities that are engaging and pleasurable, whether indoors or outdoors, to improve coping with winter.

When should you try to relieve SAD symptoms with Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

When traditional SAD treatments fail to work, Ketamine Infusion Therapy could be an option for you.
The advantage of using Ketamine Infusion Therapy to treat SAD is that it provides almost instant relief either days or even sometimes hours after your infusion. Since SAD is seasonal, you will only need infusions when you are feeling symptoms in the winter. Treatment plans for SAD usually only take about 4-6 infusions to completely relieve our patients from SAD.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy does not require frequent infusions to keep the symptoms away, meaning you will only need infusions when you are feeling down.
References

1. Seasonal Affective Disorder
2. Treating SAD