It’s normal and healthy to feel sad sometimes, especially when a life event is bringing you down. But if you notice feelings of depression in the winter months, you may have major depressive disorder (MDD) with seasonal pattern. (This used to be known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.)

Here’s what MDD with seasonal pattern means, and how to tell if you have a case of the typical short-term blues or something bigger.

What is major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern?

The change of seasons can trigger this form of depression.

Experts don’t know what causes it. But they have a few theories. It might have to do with changes in sunlight exposure. Less sunlight in winter months may disrupt your biological clock. It can also cause you to produce less serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood.

Seasonal changes can throw off your melatonin levels, too. That’s a hormone that plays a role in mood and sleep. All these changes can lead to feelings of depression, including MDD with seasonal pattern.

You may be at a higher risk of MDD with seasonal pattern if you also have another mental health condition. Some examples are depression or bipolar disorder.*

It’s likely that you’re also at a higher risk of MDD with seasonal pattern symptoms if you live in northern areas, where there is less daylight during the winter.*

The good news is that you don’t have to wait until the seasons change to feel better. If you’re diagnosed with MDD with seasonal pattern, there are treatments out there that can help, says Rebecca Leslie, PsyD. She’s a licensed psychologist based in Atlanta. Here’s how to spot the condition, plus how to get help if you need it.

Have a health question that can’t wait for your next checkup?

Call the 24-Hour Nurse Line at 1-855-493-7019 (TTY: 711) to speak with a registered nurse. If you need urgent or emergency care, call 911 or go to your closest emergency room.

Feeling down? Here’s what’s typical, and what’s not.

Here are four things that can help you tell if you have a case of the typical short-term blues, or if it’s something bigger.

Keep in mind that having just one of the symptoms below doesn’t mean that you have MDD with seasonal pattern, says Leslie. And MDD with seasonal pattern is a type of depression. So, in many ways, the symptoms are much like typical depression. They just either start or get worse with the changing of seasons. If you’re concerned about your mental health, you should reach out to a provider or therapist, she adds.

1. Seasonal mood shifts

Short-term blues: Many of us feel a bit blue if the weather turns colder and it gets dark earlier. This can also worsen around the holidays, especially if you aren’t able to see friends and loved ones.

Something bigger: You feel depressed for weeks every time winter months roll around.

2. Periods of grief

Short-term blues: You may feel deeply sad right after the loss of a pet or friend, for example. But the sadness should lift after a week or two. And if you do something you enjoy, like seeing a friend, you should feel a little better.

Something bigger: Do these feelings stay with you most of the day and last for more than two weeks? If so, you’re likely facing something more than just the blues.

3. Losing interest

Short-term blues: You may not feel up for an event or activity you usually enjoy, like baking or spending time with friends.

Something bigger: Simple things that usually give you pleasure, like reading a book or watching TV, may seem hard. And you may feel overwhelmed doing your day-to-day activities.

4. Trouble sleeping

Short-term blues: We all have trouble sleeping now and then. It’s especially common during the holiday season. That’s when schedules may change and throw us off our regular routine.

Something bigger: Having trouble sleeping every night? Do you find yourself sleeping a lot and not wanting to get out of bed? These might be signs of depression.

If you think you may be experiencing MDD with seasonal pattern, call your primary care provider (PCP). Or you can call the 24-Hour Nurse Line at 1-855-493-7019 (TTY: 711) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Need to find an in-network provider? 

Visit AetnaMedicare.com/FindProvider or call Member Services at 1-833-570-6670 (TTY: 711) between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days a week. 

3 ways to help ease MDD with seasonal pattern

All of the things that normally work to lift your mood can be helpful for easing symptoms of MDD with seasonal pattern. On the list: getting regular exercise, keeping in touch with friends and getting enough nourishment. But there are also a few treatments that are unique for MDD with seasonal pattern.

Treatment 1: Light therapy

With light therapy, you sit a few feet away from a special light therapy lamp within the first hour of waking up. Exposure to bright light early in the day appears to cause changes in the brain hormones linked to mood, says Leslie.

It often starts working in a few days to a few weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. And light therapy can improve symptoms of depression. According to research in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, symptoms can improve by almost 40 percent.* 

You’ll find light therapy lamps at many drug stores like CVS® and big-box stores like Walmart. If you can’t get one, seek out more sunlight during your day, when possible. Open your blinds and sit near a sunny window, especially first thing in the morning.

Better yet, spend time outside. You could go for a walk, or just sit on your front steps with a cup of hot coffee and a good book. Even if it’s a gray day, exposure to natural light can help ease depression symptoms. If you have questions, ask your PCP what might work best for you.

Treatment 2: Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, also helps treat symptoms of MDD with seasonal pattern. One type of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is a form of therapy that helps you shift your perspective and find coping skills. In CBT, you might: 

• Identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that may make you feel worse, like staying at home alone
   
• Learn healthy ways to cope, like eating right and exercising
   
• Learn how to keep stress in check

About 50 percent of people who have CBT for MDD with seasonal pattern get relief from their symptoms.*

Check your coverage

Log in to your secure member website AetnaMedicare.com/Login to check your plan benefits and costs.

Treatment 3: Medication

Your provider may suggest that you try an antidepressant. These medicines work to treat MDD with seasonal pattern. Studies show that about 60 percent of people experience improvement while taking them.* Some that are often prescribed include: 

• Sertraline
   
• Fluoxetine
   
• Citalopram

An antidepressant can take several weeks to kick in. Work with your provider for a treatment plan that is right for you.

Whether you try medicine or another treatment, working with your provider and taking an active approach can make a difference. Doing so can help you feel better and get back to enjoying the change of seasons.

We’re here to help

If you're struggling with feelings of loneliness or depression, let us help.

Call us at 1-833-570-6670 (TTY: 711). Our Member Services team is available between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days a week. They can connect you with mental health counseling resources. And explain your plan’s mental health benefits.

Coverage may include:

• Therapy sessions — in-person and via telehealth
   
• Certain medications
   
• Depression screenings
   
• Psychiatric evaluations
   
• 24-Hour Nurse Line
   
• Hospital stays

Tell us your thoughts — take the member survey

We value your opinions. Let us know what health and wellness issues and Medicare Advantage benefits you want to hear more about!

Take the survey now.

*FOR INCREASED RISK OF MDD WITH SEASONAL PATTERN SOURCE: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus. Seasonal affective disorder. August 2020. 

*FOR INCREASED RISK IN NORTHERN AREAS SOURCE: National Institute of Mental Health. Seasonal affective disorder. 2023. 

*FOR DEPRESSION AND SLEEP SOURCE: Johns Hopkins Medicine. Depression and sleep: understanding the connection. 

*FOR EFFICACY OF LIGHT THERAPY FOR MDD WITH SEASONAL PATTERN SOURCE: Pjrek E, Friedrich ME, Cambioli L, et al. The efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. January 2020; 89(1): 17-24.

*FOR EFFICACY OF CBT FOR MDD WITH SEASONAL PATTERN SOURCE: Up to Date. Seasonal affective disorder: treatment. August 2024.

*FOR EFFICACY OF MEDICATION FOR MDD WITH SEASONAL PATTERN SOURCE: Up to Date. Seasonal affective disorder: treatment. August 2024.

For language services, please call the number on your member ID card and request an operator. For other language services: Español | 中⽂ | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 | Tagalog | Pусский | ةيبرعلا| | Kreyòl | Français | Polski | Português | Italiano | Deutsch | ⽇本語 | فارسی | Other languages… 

See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

Plan features and availability may vary by service area. The formulary and/or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

SilverSneakers® is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. ©2024 Tivity Health, Inc.

Aetna and Signify Health® are part of the CVS Health® family of companies. Other Pharmacies are available in our network.

The CVS Health discount is for use by Aetna Medicare Advantage members only. You may be asked to show your Aetna insurance card at checkout. Aetna is part of the CVS Health® family of companies. 20% off Select CVS Health Brands. Excludes sale and promo items, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, prescriptions and co-pays, pseudoephedrine/ephedrine products, pre-paid, gift cards. Not combinable with other orders or supplemental benefits. 20% discount is not valid on other CVS brands such as CVS Pharmacy, Beauty 360®, CVS, Gold Emblem® or Gold Emblem abound®. CVS reserves the right to apply the 20% discounts to qualifying items in any order within the transaction. Not valid on orders placed on CVS.com/Photo or CVS Optical®. Savings are not transferable. No cash back. Tax charged on pre-coupon price where required.

Vendors order Value-Added Items and Services (VAIS) at a discount that are not part of your plan’s benefits. You will pay the full cost of discounted services not covered under your plan.

Participating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change.

For mail-order, you can get prescription drugs shipped to your home through the network mail-order delivery program. Typically, mail-order drugs arrive within 14 days. You can call the Member Services number on your member ID if you do not receive your mail-order drugs within this timeframe. Members may have the option to sign-up for automated mail-order delivery.

©2024 Aetna Inc.
Y0001_NR_3895352_2025_C
2956713-39-01