Summer seasonal affective disorder A less common variant

摘要

What is summer seasonal affective disorder and how should it be managed? CASE SCENARIO: Meredith, aged 50 years, complains of what she claims is 'seasonal affective disorder' (SAD). She describes a classic depression that starts suddenly, not in winter, but in November each year and then abruptly ceases in March. On questioning, she admits that the Christmas period is never a happy time for her due to longstanding family conflict. She has never been referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist and never been treated with any form of antidepressant. She has read about melatonin and wonders if it might help.