A 28-year-old male presents with recurrent episodes of depression, fatigue, and loss of interest in daily activities, which typically begin in the fall and improve in the spring. He also reports feelings of hopelessness and occasional thoughts of death during the winter months. What is the likely diagnosis, and what would be the recommended treatment plan?
This patient's symptoms indicate a likely diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), with severe symptoms including feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of death. Treatment should involve a combination of light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and potentially an antidepressant medication. The patient's thoughts of death also suggest a high severity of depression, and it would be important to assess him for immediate suicide risk and possibly consider referral for psychiatric care.