"I've always gained a little weight over the winter but managed to get it off quickly in the summer. But I didn't lose much this summer, I'm still 15 pounds heavier since we moved to Alaska, and I'm not happy about larding up another 3 or 5 pounds this winter."

Aside from being a little more empathetic toward his wife and her weight gain over the years, Bill asks about whether the "psycho-box" (what he calls her light box) she started using last winter might help him with his winter mood swings too.

Most frequent symptoms:

The milder forms of "cabin fever": Increased irritability, less energy, less interest in activities usually enjoyed, decreased libido, difficulty with concentration and task completion, carbohydrate craving, weight gain.

The more troublesome Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): All of the milder symptoms but more severe and prolonged causing lethargy, hopelessness, social withdrawal and depression. Take home message: though this phenomenon is real, and everyone is affected by it to some degree, it can be managed very well by you, occasionally with additional help from your physician.

Foremost recommendations supported by the best science and experience: A daily fitness program, salutary to our health in so many ways, is a specific antidote to cabin fever by stimulating endorphins and other hormones that revitalize our days and improve the quality of our sleep.

Light therapy, self-directed. It is currently thought that the intensity (lux factor) rather than full-spectrum is the critical issue.

The severe forms of Seasonal Affective Disorder can impair relationship and work productivity, and contribute to depression. If you, your family, or your friends think your behavior or mood suggests a problem, you should feel comfortable discussing it with your physician.

For more information about seasonal affective disorder talk to your physician, read "Winter Blues" by Rosenthal, log "seasonal affective disorder-Alaska" into your favorite internet search engine.