An Enlightening Look at What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder and How It Can Be Treated

In the most recent episode of the American Chemical Society video series “Reactions“, host Sophia Cai offers an enlightening look at the very real condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a common mood disorder that can affect otherwise mentally healthy people during gloomy days. Cai explains the physiological causes of the disorder, how it manifests and what can be done to treat it.

As the days get shorter, darker and colder, people seem to be getting gloomier. For folks with seasonal affective disorder, the changing seasons can make them sadder than most, to the point of depression. Why does this happen? What can someone with the condition do about it?