Shining a Light on Seasonal Affective Disorder

Guest: Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P. Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD) It is quite common for individuals to go through periods where they feel somewhat sad and discouraged and often these mood changes tend to occur with the changes in seasons, especially during the winter months. In some cases, these mood changes become more serious and can result in depression. When people experience depressive episodes in the late fall and winter, this may represent Seasonal Affective Disorder. Our guest today is Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P., a psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology at the Mayo Clinic. Our topic for this podcast is Seasonal Affective Disorder. We’ll discuss its frequency, how we can recognize it in our patients, and the available treatment options. Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.