Three out of every 100 people in the Netherlands experience symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter depression.

SAD can also occur during the spring and summer, known as summer-pattern SAD or summer depression. For more on the symptoms, check here. Whether it's winter or summer depression, consult your huisarts (GP) if these symptoms consistently disrupt your daily life.

Light therapy is often effective for winter depression, but it should not be used without consulting your huisarts, as it can disrupt your biological clock. The same applies to taking melatonin.