Patients’ Experience of Winter Depression and Light Room Treatment

Table 2

Overview of the results regarding patients’ experience of seasonal affective disorder: one main theme, three categories, and 19 subcategories ().

Theme	Categories	Subcategories
Struggling to adapt to the inevitable	A clear seasonal pattern	The shift, early signals
		Discover the pattern
		Fall into the black hole and be trapped in the darkness
		Problems with sleep and daily rhythms
		Lack of energy, overwhelming tiredness, and inactivity
		Depressed mood
		Changes in food habits and weight
		To feel “alive” only half of the year
Struggling to adapt to the inevitable	Consequences for everyday life	Difficulties to meet the expectations of everyday life
		Disturbed relationships with family and friends
		Reduced work capacity
		The dilemma, lack of a legitimate diagnosis and treatment
Struggling to adapt to the inevitable	Coping strategies	Wait and see and hope for the best
		Maintain physical and outdoor activities, helpful but difficult
		Give priority to work and reduce social contacts and recreational activities
		Travel abroad
		Consider the pros and cons of antidepressants
		Psychotherapy
		Light room treatment