Winter Blues, Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder [Paperback]

Norman E. Rosenthal MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1593851162 | ISBN-13: 978-1593851163 | Edition: Revised

Winter isn’t a “wonderland” for everyone. Every year, millions of us feel our energy levels ebb and spirits fall as the days grow shorter. The condition is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and it can cause depression, reduce your productivity, and make it harder to control your appetite. In this no-nonsense, up-to-date survival kit for weathering the winter blues, Dr. Norman Rosenthal explains what causes seasonal mood swings and what you can do about them. A self-test allows you to evaluate your own level of SAD and helps you determine an appropriate plan of action. The book covers an expanded variety of methods proven to help you feel better--including new developments in light therapy, antidepressant medications, and breakthrough self-help strategies. Convenient menus and easy recipes make sticking to a healthy winter diet more enjoyable, and a new section on the benefits of exercise motivates you to stay active even when it’s gloomy outside. A step-by-step guide helps you organize your yearly schedule to anticipate seasonal changes, and a special chapter for family and friends teaches loved ones effective ways to show support. Like a ray of light on an otherwise cloudy day. Dr. Rosenthal’s expertise, warmth, and enthusiasm will inspire you to reclaim the winter months and find ways to celebrate even the darkest days of the year.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“I consider Winter Blues to be the SAD bible. Dr. Rosenthal's brilliant research and words of wisdom have provided the nurturing help that so many people have sought when the change of seasons brings sadness instead of joy. This book is 'must' reading.”--Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, FACP, author of Body for Life for Women and Fight Fat After Forty

"Dr. Rosenthal, a pioneering researcher who helped put seasonal depression on the map, is a also a gifted teacher and storyteller. What do simple algae, hibernating animals, and humans have in common? They all have internal rhythms that respond to the seasons. Follow Dr. Rosenthal as he explores the latest science and treatment of seasonal depression, illustrated with fascinating anecdotes and stories and delivered in his compulsively readable and eloquent style."--Richard A. Friedman, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University

"Winter Blues is a wonderful book. It is deeply knowledgeable from a scientific perspective, as one would expect from one of the world's leading authorities on mood disorders, but it is also a delight to read. Dr. Rosenthal writes beautifully about the human side of the seasons and our profound beholdenness to light, while at the same time providing an invaluable guide to handling the seasonal depressions that affect so many individuals."--Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, author of An Unquiet Mind and Exuberance

"Wonderfully written and full of vital information by an unequaled expert on the subject. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who, like myself, has the winter blues. Read and heed Dr. Rosenthal's advice. It can change your life."--Jean Carper, columnist, USA Weekend, and author of Miracle Cures

"The light therapy that Dr. Rosenthal recommends has made life worth living during December, January, February, and March for 14 years. I take care of my family, feel like a valuable person, and am a productive professional. Now his new chapter, 'Winter Light,' gives me a recipe for celebrating those once-dreaded months."--LaDonna Green Bates, MSW

About the Author

Norman E. Rosenthal, MD, is internationally recognized for his contribution to the understanding and treatment of depression. He is a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University, a therapist in private practice, and the author of four books, including The Emotional Revolution. Dr. Rosenthal served for over 20 years at the National Institute of Mental Health as a researcher in psychiatry and psychobiology, and has been listed in The Best Doctors in America and the Consumers' Research Council of America’s Guide to America's Top Psychiatrists. He is a sought-after speaker and lecturer, and has appeared on national television and radio programs, including Good Morning America, Today, CBS News, and NPR's Fresh Air and All Things Considered.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; Revised edition (September 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593851162
• ISBN-13: 978-1593851163
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Norman Rosenthal is a psychiatrist and scientist who in the 1980s first described winter depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and pioneered the use of light therapy for its treatment. Rosenthal was born and educated in South Africa and moved to the United States to complete his medical training. He established a private practice and spent 20 years as a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) where he studied the disorders of mood, sleep, and biological rhythms. Rosenthal's research with SAD led him to write "Winter Blues" and two other books on the topic. More recently Rosenthal has written a book on the Transcendental Meditation technique and conducted research on its potential influence on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In total, he has written seven books, including one on the topic of jet lag, and published 200 scholarly papers.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting, well-written book October 22, 2005

By Leo Sher, M.D.

Format:Paperback

"Winter Blues" is a well-crafted book by Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, the creator of the contemporary concept of seasonal affective disorder and light therapy, one of the outstanding leaders in the field of mood disorders, and the author of numerous publications including the famous books "The Emotional Revolution" and "St. John's Wort: The Herbal Way to Feeling Good." The first edition of "Winter Blues" was published in 1993. In the past 12 years this book has become a classic reference for the thousands of people who experience seasonal changes in mood and behavior. The new edition is not merely a cosmetic update but an extensive revision of the previous edition. The revised edition of "Winter Blues" provides the readers with the most up-to-date information on the research in the field and reflects new perspectives in appreciating how much we can do to overcome the effects of seasons. The chapter on new research demonstrates the vast accumulation of new information we have gained on the subject of seasonal affective disorder, seasonality, and light treatment. The author describes interesting scientific findings related to the neurobiological mechanisms of seasonality. Other chapters of this book provide the readers with useful information on how to overcome "winter blues" and related topics. I am impressed with the deepness of the author's description of the "holiday blues" and "anniversary reactions." This is a simply written, interesting book. It is a book I certainly recommend to everybody who is interested in natural sciences.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars third of fourth revision - as the research goes on - worth getting December 1, 2005

By DKDC

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really liked the first version of this book and this latest revised version has even more information.

Rosenthal writes in a way that keeps your interest high and gives you a summary of the latest research. Wise advice on a shiny silver platter (to mangle a proverb).

Dr. Rosenthal seems to be a good guy. His wisdom, humor and compassion are reflected in his books. I doubt you will be dissapointed!

By the way, I didn't come to this page to review the book - I came to buy it after reading someone else's copy. (Here comes winter!)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues Provides Viable Options January 4, 2007

By Phyllis Reid Brewer

Format:Paperback

Winter Blues is a very readable book that clearly lays out the causes and symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. The book doesn't make outrageous claims or offer surefire solutions. What it does is provide a host of possible treatments from which people living with SAD can develop their own plan of attack for alleviating their individual symptoms. The chapters are well laid out making it easy to identify applicable information and go back for quick reviews after the initial reading.