Winter here is a dark time — for some people more than others.

The reason is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a diagnosed condition relating to a lack of sunshine and a resulting depleted serotonin level.

“For many people SAD is a seriously disabling illness, preventing them from functioning normally without continuous medical treatment,” says a report from the National Organization for Seasonal Affective Disorder. “For others, it is a milder condition, causing discomfort, referred to as sub-syndromal SAD or winter blues.”

Its symptoms are similar to depression though not as extensive. It’s main result is a lack of energy and a deep sense of the “blahs.’

According to the National Mental Health Association, SAD is of particular concern to college-aged people and women in general because it may affect them slightly more than the rest of the population.

Many of the things that are known to help are inexpensive — and the options don’t begin and end with prescription drugs.

Bathing in full light is one simple solution that works for most people. Full spectrum lights are available at many local hardware stores. However, medical professionals do not agree on the specifics of how to use the light.

Light therapy used to take up to three hours a day and the light units weighed 40 lbs. — no one had that much time to waist in front of a lightbox. Today, quality lightboxes are bright enough to allow a maintenance dose of just 15-20 minutes a day and can weigh less than nine pounds.

More information on special lighting can be found at www.sadlight.com/ap-index.htm and www.lighttherapyproducts.com/sadinfo.html.

Another thing people may need to do is treat the depression with antidepressants during the winter months. The dosage has to be adjusted to the severity of the depression and readjusted through out the winter months as the days get shorter and then decreased as the days get longer and the body starts to get more sunlight.

The Harrison Hospital Web site (www.harrisonhospital.org) addresses depression issues.

“In Washington State, between 1980 and 1995 twice as many people committed suicide as were killed by others, the Web site states. “Local suicide rates are higher still. According to the Bremerton-Kitsap County Health District statistics, the rate of suicide here was approximately 14 people per 100,000 of population in 1993 (nationally the figure is 11.9).”

Call Harrison Hospital at 800-281-4024 for help in finding a support group.

Research has never shown that Seasonal Affective Disorder gets that bad.

There is local help for SAD and other types of depression; chief among them is Kitsap Mental Health Services. Its 24-hour help line is 360-373-3425. Their regular number is 360-373-5031. Its office is at 5455 Almira Dr. NE in Bremerton.

Other information on the web can be found at the National Mental Health Association — www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm.