Reviewed by: Pavel Kornilov, MD, psychiatrist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- Who conducts it
- a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist
- Format
- video consultations and online psychotherapy throughout the season
- Duration
- treatment lasts through the seasonal episode; prevention starts in advance
- Anonymity
- confidential, under the rules of medical confidentiality
- When it's urgent
- suicidal thoughts, a sudden switch in mood to agitation — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- symptom relief and a prevention plan for the next season
What you should know
Seasonal affective disorder has been described in psychiatry since the 1980s. In the current DSM-5 classification, it is treated as a “with seasonal pattern” specifier for recurrent depression or bipolar disorder: episodes begin and end at a particular time of year for at least two consecutive years, and seasonal episodes outnumber non-seasonal ones. The fall-winter type is more common; the spring-summer type is rarer. Seasonal depression treatment in Ayagoz is well suited to the online format.
Seasonal depression differs from the ordinary autumn dip in energy in its severity and its impact on life: a person does not just “feel a bit worse in November” but loses the ability to work, loses interest in activities, and withdraws from people. It is more common in regions with short winter days. Because episodes are predictable, seasonal depression responds well not only to treatment but also to prevention started before the “difficult” season arrives.
Signs of Seasonal Depression
- low mood that regularly appears in the fall and lifts in the spring
- marked sleepiness, sleeping for long hours, and difficulty getting up in the morning
- increased appetite, especially cravings for sweets and starchy foods
- low energy, a heavy feeling in the body, reduced activity
- loss of interest in socializing and a wish to “hibernate”
- difficulty concentrating and reduced productivity during the dark months
- these episodes recur at the same time of year over several years
If at least two points apply and the state lasts longer than two weeks, it is worth seeing a specialist. Phone consultation is free. If life is at risk, call 112 or 103.
Why Seasonal Depression Develops
The main hypothesis links seasonal depression to shorter daylight hours. A lack of bright morning light disrupts the body's internal biological clock, shifts circadian rhythms, and affects the production of melatonin, which regulates sleep, and the activity of the serotonin system, which is linked to mood. In some people, these changes, combined with individual vulnerability, lead to a depressive episode.
The risk is higher in people with a family history of depression, in women, in young adults, and in those living at northern latitudes. A sedentary lifestyle, working indoors without natural light, and irregular sleep patterns can intensify the seasonal pattern. It is important to remember that a seasonal pattern can be part of bipolar disorder, in which winter depressive episodes alternate with spring highs — and this changes the approach to treatment.
How Seasonal Depression Is Treated Online
During the video consultation, the psychiatrist asks in which months the episodes occur, how many years they have recurred, how your sleep, appetite, and activity change, and whether you have had periods of unusually elevated mood in spring or summer. Depression scales and seasonality questionnaires are used for assessment. Then the plan is discussed: light therapy, psychotherapy, lifestyle measures, and medication when indicated. It helps to keep a mood and sleep diary throughout the season.
Physical causes of fatigue and sleepiness — hypothyroidism, anemia, nutritional deficiencies — cannot be ruled out online; in-person lab tests are needed for that. If you have eye conditions or take medications that increase light sensitivity, you need to see an ophthalmologist before starting light therapy. If you have suicidal thoughts or your depression suddenly switches to agitation, call 103 or 112. Prescribing medication is governed by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
How we help
Light therapy
Daily exposure to bright light from a dedicated light therapy device, usually in the morning, is a method with proven effectiveness for fall-winter depression. The doctor recommends the timing and length of sessions and how to get started. It is important to use certified devices and take contraindications into account; in bipolar disorder, light therapy requires special caution.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for seasonal depression helps change the thoughts and behaviors that sustain the winter slump: reduced activity, isolation, and dread of the coming season. Research shows that its effect can last into the following years. Online sessions are convenient during the dark months, when leaving the house is especially hard.
Medication
For pronounced episodes, antidepressants are used, in some cases preventively, starting before the season begins. The doctor decides on the choice of medication and when to start and end the course, based on your history of episodes and after ruling out bipolar disorder. Medication can be combined with light therapy and psychotherapy.
Prevention and routine
Getting up at the same time every day, walking outside during daylight hours, physical activity, and planning enjoyable activities for the winter reduce the severity of episodes. Online seasonal depression treatment in Ayagoz at Psychiatry Online includes drawing up a prevention plan in advance so that the next season goes more easily and the first signs of a slump are caught in time.
Myths and facts
MythEveryone gets the winter blues — it's not an illness
FactA mild drop in energy in winter is indeed common. Seasonal depression is different because of how severe the symptoms are and how much they affect work, relationships, and everyday life, which is why it needs treatment.
MythAny bright lamp will do
FactLight therapy uses dedicated devices with specific light intensity and ultraviolet filtering. Ordinary lamps do not produce the necessary effect, and sessions need the right timing and duration.
MythSeasonal depression goes away in spring, so there's no need to treat it
FactWaiting for spring means months of suffering and reduced productivity every year. Treatment eases the current episode, and prevention can reduce the severity of future episodes or prevent them altogether.
How an online appointment works
- Message or callWrite on WhatsApp or call — our coordinator replies within minutes, day or night. You don't have to give your surname.
- Doctor and timeWe match you with a psychiatrist, addiction specialist or psychotherapist and agree on a time — often the same day.
- Video consultationA secure 50–60 minute video call: the doctor takes a detailed history and uses standardised scales if needed.
- Treatment planYou receive a clear summary, recommendations and a plan: what we do online and what needs an in-person visit or home call.
- Follow-upOnline follow-up sessions, messenger contact with your doctor, and treatment adjustments until you get a stable result.
Prices in Ayagoz
| Online psychiatrist consultation (50–60 min) | 15 000 ₸ |
| Follow-up online consultation | 12 000 ₸ |
| One month of online psychiatric care | 60 000 ₸ |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
An online consultation for “Seasonal depression treatment” is available to people across Abai Region 24/7 — from home, work or while travelling. For an in-person visit, Psychiatry Online in Ayagoz has two branches: 73 Abaya St., Ayagoz and 160 Kunanbaeva St., Ayagoz. Doctor home visits: all city districts and nearby settlements.
Confidential and private
An online appointment in Ayagoz is first of all about privacy: no clinic visit, no waiting room. A private room and headphones are enough. Data is stored in a secure system with restricted access and does not enter any state registry without legal grounds.
Questions and answers
How can I tell if I have seasonal depression?
The key sign is regularity: depressive episodes occur at the same time of year for at least two years in a row and lift when that season ends. If you notice such a pattern, a psychiatrist will help assess your condition and rule out other causes.
Does vitamin D help with seasonal depression?
The evidence on vitamin D's effect on seasonal depression is mixed. If a deficiency is confirmed by lab tests, correcting it is advisable for general medical reasons. Taking high doses on your own without monitoring is not recommended.
When should I start prevention?
Preventive measures usually start in advance, before your episodes typically begin — for example, at the start of fall. The exact timing depends on your history: when the first symptoms usually appear. It is convenient to discuss the plan with your doctor at the end of summer.
Can I do light therapy at home?
Yes, light therapy is done at home with a dedicated device. The doctor will advise you on how to choose a device, what time of day to use it, and how long sessions should last. It is important to mention any eye conditions, light-sensitizing medications, and episodes of elevated mood.
Is there such a thing as summer seasonal depression?
Yes, there is also a spring-summer type, which more often involves insomnia, reduced appetite, anxiety, and irritability. It is less common and is treated somewhat differently, so it is important to tell your doctor which time of year is hardest for you.
Do I need treatment every year?
That depends on how severe and frequent the episodes are. For some people, preventive measures and light therapy are enough; others need seasonal medication. Seasonal depression treatment in Ayagoz is planned individually and reviewed at the end of each season.
Where can I be seen in Ayagoz?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: 73 Abaya St., Ayagoz and 160 Kunanbaeva St., Ayagoz. Both are open 24/7; home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements.
Sources and methodology
This page was prepared by the Psychiatry Online medical editorial team based on:
- International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and ICD-11, World Health Organization
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- NICE (UK) and APA (US) guidelines on the treatment of mental disorders
- WHO recommendations on telemedicine and digital health
This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Editorial policy