Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

As the days get shorter and the sunlight fades, your energy may drop, your mood may sink, and life can begin to feel heavy and joyless. This isn’t just “winter blues” — it’s something deeper. If your symptoms come and go with the seasons, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

At Alleviant Integrated Mental Health, we understand how sunlight — or the lack of it — can affect brain chemistry and emotional health. You don’t have to endure another season in the dark. We offer science-backed, compassionate care to help you feel balanced all year round.

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

SAD is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern — most commonly beginning in late fall or winter when sunlight exposure decreases. It affects your sleep, energy, mood, and ability to function.

SAD is more than just a dislike of cold weather — it’s a legitimate, biologically driven condition linked to disrupted circadian rhythms, melatonin regulation, and neurotransmitter imbalances (especially serotonin and dopamine).

Common Symptoms of SAD

• Low mood, sadness, or hopelessness during fall/winter

• Increased sleep or difficulty waking

• Fatigue and low energy, even after rest

• Overeating or carbohydrate cravings

• Social withdrawal (“hibernation” behavior)

• Difficulty concentrating

• Loss of interest in usual activities

• Irritability or anxiety

• In rare cases, symptoms may occur in the summer (reverse SAD)

A Brain-Based, Light-Focused Approach

At Alleviant, we treat SAD with a unique combination of Objective Psychiatry and whole-person care. We use spectral EEG (sEEG) to visualize how seasonal changes affect your brain’s electrical patterns — offering the first measurable “vital sign for the brain.” This guides our care to help you regulate mood and restore your body’s internal clock.

Treatment Options for SAD at Alleviant

Comprehensive Psychiatry (In-Person or Telehealth)

Our providers evaluate your mood patterns, sleep cycles, and neurological function to create a comprehensive plan for seasonal symptom relief — and long-term balance.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood and anxiety regulation. At Alleviant, we follow established FDA protocols for depression, anxious depression, and OCD — ensuring safe, evidence-based care.

In addition, we offer a fully personalized form of TMS known as NeuroSync™. This advanced, off-label treatment is guided by your spectral EEG (sEEG) data, allowing us to customize the frequency, intensity, and target areas based on your brain’s unique electrical activity. It’s psychiatry made smarter — tailored to you.

Let’s Bring Back Your Light

You don’t have to dread the seasons anymore. With the right support, your brain can adapt, your mood can lift, and you can rediscover joy — even in winter.

Hope doesn’t hibernate. Let us help you thrive — all year long.