Episode Overview

Title: Navigating Seasonal Depression with Dr. Jackie Chapman of TeamHealth
Date: October 3, 2025
Host: Erica Spicer Mason, Becker’s Healthcare
Guest: Dr. Jackie Chapman, Clinical Psychologist & Regional Clinical Director, TeamHealth

In this episode, host Erica Spicer Mason speaks with Dr. Jackie Chapman about navigating seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The discussion covers risk factors, causes, symptoms, and a range of evidence-based treatment approaches. Practical advice for healthcare providers and patients rounds out the conversation, emphasizing accessible strategies and the importance of psychoeducation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Chapman’s Background & Experience

• Background: Over 35 years in psychotherapy, 25 years in post-acute care, 7 years with TeamHealth, recently moved into leadership.
  • “I've been providing psychotherapy services as a clinical psychologist for 35 years...” (00:38)

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

• Definition: Unlike general depression, SAD follows a clear seasonal pattern, appearing in late fall, worsening in winter, and remitting in spring.

  • “Seasonal affective disorder really follow that seasonal pattern... mainly has to do with the changes in our light.” (01:50)

• Primary Cause: Decreased natural light during certain seasons disrupts circadian rhythms, impacting serotonin, melatonin, and vitamin D.

  • “The major factor is that change in the lights that we're exposed to... that in turn affects the serotonin levels and our melatonin levels and the vitamin D levels in our brain.” (02:42)

Risk Factors & At-Risk Populations

• Geography: Higher risk in more northern regions with less winter sunlight.
• Genetic & Clinical History: Family history of mood disorders, existing diagnoses of depression/bipolar disorder.
• Demographics: Women are more affected, possibly due to higher rates of recognition/seeking help.
• Typical Onset: Age 20–30.
  • “Folks that are most susceptible... live in our most northern regions... have a family history of a mood disorder... already diagnosed with any type of depression or bipolar disorder...” (03:28)
  • “Women are also more affected than men, probably because women are more likely to recognize and admit these symptoms than men are.” (03:52)

Recognizing Symptoms

• Low mood, increased irritability
• Fatigue
• Sleeping pattern disruptions (over/undersleeping)
• Increased appetite (especially carbs), possible weight fluctuation
• Trouble concentrating
• Loss of interest in activities, decreased socialization
  • “These common symptoms that seem to happen are things like that. Low mood, an increase in irritability, some fatigue, disruptions in our sleeping patterns...” (03:52)
  • “We can have a weight gain. You can also have a weight loss if you have a disruptive appetite, report having trouble with concentration, a loss of interest in activities, a decrease in socialization.” (04:23)

Effective Treatments & Lifestyle Strategies

1. Light Therapy

• First line of treatment: Exposure to artificial light mimicking natural sunlight helps hormonal balance and circadian rhythm.
  • “One thing that tends to be the first line treatment... is light therapy.” (05:15)

2. Psychotherapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Psychoeducation: Empowering patients to recognize patterns and prepare for recurring symptoms.
  • “Another really important psychotherapy technique is just helping providing psychoeducation and helping people understand that this is a seasonal pattern.” (05:51)

3. Medication

• Short-term antidepressants: SSRIs, bupropion, especially if symptoms are severe.
  • “Some folks respond well to a short term use of antidepressants such as SSRIs... or bupropion, which is another medication we can use.” (06:10)

4. Supplements

• Vitamin D: Augmenting diet to compensate for sunlight loss.
  • “Folks also report good results with increasing supplementing vitamin D into their diet...” (06:21)

5. Behavioral & Environmental Approaches

• Outdoor Activity: Even cloudy daylight is beneficial.
• Exercise & Routine Changes: Keeping physically active.
• Mindfulness: Yoga, meditation.
• Social Connection: Proactively avoid isolation, maintain social support.
  • “Spending more time outdoors... increasing exercise or continuing to change up your exercise routine, doing some mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation... maintaining your social activity.” (06:31)

The Role of Psychoeducation: Patients & Providers

• For Patients: Understanding patterns empowers better self-management.
• For Providers: Increased awareness helps avoid overdiagnosis of persistent depression and informs treatment choice, especially around medication duration.
  • “Just being self aware and educating yourself that what you're seeing in folks might only be a seasonal effective pattern is really important in terms of what your treatment approaches are going to be.” (07:49)
  • “Some folks are really more likely to utilize medications if they think it's only going to be short term versus... a long time in their life.” (08:18)

Memorable Quotes & Key Takeaways

• On Environmental Factors & Self-Care:
  “Our overall mood and mental health is deeply rooted in the environment that we live in... who we socialize with, where we spend our time, being outdoors, all that's really important.” — Dr. Jackie Chapman (08:54)

• On Manageability of SAD:
  “The great news is that when we have this education and this knowledge and we seek out using some light therapy or some psychotherapy or some medication and making those lifestyle adjustments, it's really important to know that seasonal affective disorder is very manageable and people can find relief.” — Dr. Jackie Chapman (09:18)

• On Behavioral Health Prioritization:
  “We have to prioritize our behavioral health as the first essential step to our overall well being.” — Dr. Jackie Chapman (09:46)

Important Timestamps

• 00:38 — Dr. Chapman introduces her background and clinical focus
• 01:50 — Defining seasonal affective disorder vs. other depression types
• 02:42 — Causes and mechanisms behind SAD
• 03:28 — Who is most at risk; overview of symptoms
• 05:15 — Treatment strategies: light therapy, medication, behavioral changes
• 07:49 — Importance of psychoeducation for both patients and providers
• 08:54 — Environmental impact and broader reflections on mental health management

Conclusion

Dr. Jackie Chapman highlights both the science and the human experience behind Seasonal Affective Disorder, offering practical pathways for patients and clinicians to recognize, treat, and manage this common but manageable form of depression. She stresses the importance of light exposure, psychoeducation, behavioral change, and a supportive environment. The conversation closes on notes of empowerment and care, advocating for proactive behavioral health as a cornerstone of well-being.