The Vitals | What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

If shorter days, colder weather, and early sunsets leave you feeling sluggish, unmotivated, or just not yourself, you’re not alone. Millions experience winter blues — and for some, it’s part of a diagnosable, treatable form of depression. Dr. James Murrough helps us understand:

🧠 What Seasonal Affective Disorder actually is
🌤 How light affects the brain and mood — down to the cellular level
💡 What to know before buying a light box (hint: brightness matters!)
🧪 Cutting-edge research on circadian rhythms, brain imaging, and new therapies
🏋️‍♀️ Lifestyle strategies that actually help
🧰 How to tell winter blues from clinical depression — and when to seek help

Leslie also opens up about her own experience with seasonal mood changes, making this an honest, practical, and deeply relatable conversation.

Whether you’re struggling with SAD, curious about prevention, or helping someone you love, this episode gives you real, actionable tools backed by science.

Learn more about our panelist:
Dr. James Murrough, MD, PhD: https://mshs.co/4orDMVJ

👍 To get help for Seasonal Affective Disorder or get evaluated for depression, visit The Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: https://icahn.mssm.edu/research/depre...

🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Vitals on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Chapters:

00:00 – Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Opening conversation about SAD as a subtype of major depressive disorder and how it affects mood throughout the day.

00:30 – Meet the Guest & Intro to the Topic
Leslie introduces the episode, shares personal experiences, and frames the discussion around winter blues vs. clinical SAD.

02:00 – What SAD Really Is: Diagnosis & DSM Explained
Dr. Murrough breaks down depression, specifiers, diagnostic criteria, and how clinicians determine if symptoms are seasonal.

04:00 – Is It SAD or Just Seasonal Blues?
Leslie and Dr. Murrough talk through common symptoms, functional impairment, and how clinicians differentiate the spectrum.

07:30 – Who Is Affected? Gender, Age, and Geography
Research findings on prevalence, demographics, differences between seasonal and non-seasonal depression, and hormonal theories.

12:00 – Translational Neuroscience & Brain Imaging Insights
Discussion on fMRI, EEG, neural circuits, biomarkers, and how Mount Sinai is advancing depression research.

20:30 – Treatments: SSRIs, Psychotherapy & Light Therapy (What Actually Works)
Deep dive into medications, therapy, lifestyle changes, circadian rhythms, and evidence-based light therapy guidance.

27:00 – New Innovations: Light Masks & Future Therapies
Exploring cutting-edge research like nighttime light masks, brain-based treatments, and what’s on the horizon.

31:00 – Prevention & Lifestyle Strategies for Winter
Practical advice: starting treatment early, exercise, routines, social connection, and CBT techniques.

36:00 – Final Thoughts on Managing SAD Year-Round
Takeaways on building resilience, social support, and how to manage recurring seasonal patterns.