I occasionally suffer from episodes of SAD, however around this time last year I was at work with a wonderful paramedic (who had been doing the job for about 40 years, but has sadly had to retire since through ill health) who sat in the front of the truck, staring out of the window as it started to get dark, and said "What's the date?". I told him, and he mumbled to himself and counted on his fingers for a few seconds then brightly announced "Oh good. The nights start to draw out again in about eight weeks!". It really changed my way of thinking: I now concentrate on how short a time it is until things get better, rather than on the crappy bit in between. I can recommend St John's Wort as well. I was diagnosed with mild "black dog syndrome" earlier this year, and my wife bought some and persuaded me to take it as a vitamin supplement. It wasn't until I (very quickly) felt more cheerful and MUCH more able to cope with life that I looked the stuff up and found out that it's an antidepressant. No placebo effect there!