U.S.HEALTH WATCH
Do you have seasonal affective disorder? How to tell
Dr. Norman Rosenthal, who coined the term in a nineteen eighty-four paper, recommends twenty to thirty minutes of morning light-box use; the bear comparison is his.
On air: Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield on Best of BBNPublished
At a glance
- First reported by NPR: “Do you have seasonal affective disorder? How to tell — and what to do about it”, with reporting from WPR, Yahoo (3 questions about seasonal affective disorder) and ResearchGate (JAMA Psychiatry 1984).
- Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 5:54 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- NPRDo you have seasonal affective disorder? How to tell — and what to do about it
- WPR'Don't look for just one magic cure' to your seasonal depression - WPR facts used on air
- Yahoo (3 questions about seasonal affective disorder)3 questions about seasonal affective disorder — SAD — for the psychiatrist who discovered it facts used on air
- ResearchGate (JAMA Psychiatry 1984)(PDF) Seasonal Affective-Disorder - a Description of the Syndrome and Preliminary Findings with Light Therapy February 1, 1984 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorNow a health note as the days get shorter.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorDr. Norman Rosenthal, who published the first research on seasonal affective disorder, says it can make people feel like a hibernating bear.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA bear. So the bear and I have been in the same cave since September.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorRosenthal's book describes it as regular depression in fall and winter that typically lifts in spring and summer.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHis team first described it in a nineteen eighty-four paper covering twenty-nine patients.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTwenty-nine patients. That's one group chat.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIf you try a light box, he recommends twenty to thirty minutes a day, usually in the morning.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHe says many of his clients use light therapy and antidepressants together.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentMorning light, twenty minutes. I mean, my monitor is up before I am.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's a screen, Kenji, and the sun is free.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFine, I'll try the sunrise. Does it stream?
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Saturday, October 31, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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