Health & Science · November 4, 2026
Shorter Days and Dark Afternoons Can Trigger Depression
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As winter approaches and daylight hours decrease, millions of people are preparing for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression typically triggered by shorter days and the shift to standard time. First described by Dr. Norman Rosenthal at the NIH in 1984, the condition affects significantly more women than men. While the exact cause remains under investigation, symptoms often include persistent hopelessness and difficulty concentrating. Medical experts also recognize a milder version called subsyndromal SAD and a less common summer variety.
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- MedPage TodayTrade
Shorter Days and Dark Afternoons Can Trigger Depression
Read at MedPage Today ↗ - Associated PressWire
Shorter days and dark afternoons can trigger depression. Here's how to fight back
Read at Associated Press ↗ - PBS NewsNonprofit
Shorter days and dark afternoons can trigger depression. Here's how to fight back
Read at PBS News ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) typically begins in the fall and eases in the spring or summer
- Millions of people are estimated to have SAD
- The return to standard time is a recognized trigger for SAD symptoms
- Dr. Norman Rosenthal and a team at the NIH first described and named SAD in 1984
- Medical experts recognize a milder form known as subsyndromal SAD
- SAD affects significantly more women than men according to the NIH
Reported by only some outlets
- A summer variety of seasonal depression exists but is less understood
- Symptoms of SAD can include feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, and difficulty concentrating
What the evidence actually shows
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a recognized clinical condition triggered by reduced daylight; while no single cause has been identified, it is more prevalent in women and has a milder variant known as subsyndromal SAD.
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