• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
According to Psychology Today, about 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a condition that doctors believe is related to the lack of sunlight that is caused by shorter winter days. (Courtesy Pixlr.com)

Longing for the light: Detecting and treating seasonal affective disorder

January 18, 2023
By Robyn Barberry
Filed Under: Commentary, Health Care, Unconditional

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Now that the Christmas season is gone, many people find themselves slipping into a slump. The endless buffet of cookies has become a lackluster plate of chicken, broccoli and brown rice. The Christmas carols we heard in every store have reverted to meaningless pop songs. The presents we were eager to give have reappeared in the form of credit card bills. And the lights that glistened on every tree have disappeared, leaving us with barren branches to gaze upon. 

The joy that carried us from the transition from fall to winter has fizzled out, and we can’t help but feel a little bit empty. For most people, the post-holiday letdown only lasts a week or two, but for some people, this dampened mood lasts for months. According to Psychology Today, about 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a condition that doctors believe is related to the lack of sunlight that is caused by shorter winter days. 

People who have SAD tend to exhibit signs of depression, such as fatigue, an increase or decrease in appetite, lack of motivation, feeling withdrawn, and having excessively negative thoughts. The theory is that SAD happens because people aren’t able to get enough sunshine in the winter. This is particularly true for people who leave their homes in the early hours of the morning, work under fluorescent lights in a building all day, and return home after dark. It would be helpful if you can manage to squeeze in a short walk outside while the sun is out, but if not, there are several treatment options available.

Part of the reason we don’t feel well after being inside for too long is that we aren’t getting enough Vitamin D. We rely heavily on the sun to provide us with Vitamin D, which is important for maintaining our bone health and boosting our immune system, among other things.  Your doctor can recommend supplements that can make up for what you’re missing while you’re spending the bulk of the day in your car or at your desk. Another way you can increase your vitamin D is by using a light box. You can find one online for under $50, but it is essential that you talk to your doctor to make sure you are using the right one, at the right time of day, for the right length of time. 

SAD can be serious and can even lead to thoughts of suicide, which is why it is important to talk to your doctor as soon as you recognize the symptoms. If Vitamin D supplementation and light box use aren’t working, antidepressant medication and therapy can help.

By giving your body and your mind what you need to make it through the dark and cold winter months, you will be able to appreciate the beauty of a blanket of snow, a cardinal at your window feeder, and movie night in your living room. But keep in mind that your spirit also needs nourishment between Christmas and Easter. Continue to attend Mass weekly and, if possible, daily. Subscribe to a faith-based daily email newsletter. Serve others in your community. Pray for peace in your body and your mind. Even when the sun is slipping from your grasp, God’s light is always within reach:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

Visit the following links for more information:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder#:~:text=Seasonal%20affective%20disorder%20is%20estimated,ages%20of%2018%20and%2030.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298#:~:text=Typical%20recommendations%20include%20using%20the,the%20manufacturer’s%20instructions%20about%20distance

Read More Commentary

Our faith is not afraid of questions

Artificial Intelligence, wholeism and prayer

Question Corner: Does reception of the Eucharist replace confession?

A butterfly lands on a flowering bush with purple blossoms

A Miracle for a Baby in Rhode Island (and for all of us)

Kids need lots of people who love them

Painting of Martha and Mary during their visit with Jesus

A parenting lesson in the Mary and Martha story

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Robyn Barberry

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Our faith is not afraid of questions

Artificial Intelligence, wholeism and prayer

Question Corner: Does reception of the Eucharist replace confession?

A butterfly lands on a flowering bush with purple blossoms

A Miracle for a Baby in Rhode Island (and for all of us)

Kids need lots of people who love them

| Recent Local News |

Archdiocese of Baltimore offers resources for parishes to assist migrants

Third annual gun buyback scheduled for Aug. 9

Driver arrested after crashing into entrance of Esperanza Center

Construction underway on new north addition to St. Joseph’s Nursing Home 

Prince of Peace merges with St. Francis de Sales in Harford County

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Warsaw archbishop ‘devastated, crushed’ by priest’s arrest in brutal murder of homeless man
  • Jubilee of Youth chance to celebrate hope, fraternity in world at war, panel says
  • New York archdiocese sees hundreds of responses to ‘Called By Name’ program
  • Can’t afford a Catholic college? Think again. Many offer full tuition options
  • Detroit archbishop fires theologians Ralph Martin, Eduardo Echeverría from seminary
  • LA archbishop, joined by business leaders, starts fund to help families affected by ICE raids
  • FBI surveilled SSPX priest amid probe of suspected neo-Nazi’s plans for violence
  • Poland’s ‘living memorial’ to St. John Paul II marks 25 years of transforming lives
  • Our faith is not afraid of questions

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en