Why not treat melancholia with melatonin and tryptophan and treat seasonal affective disorders with bright light?
Symptoms, signs, and biologic markers in melancholia are suggested to be secondary to a deficiency of melatonin, with the resultant increase of monoamine oxidase activity, increase in plasma cortisol, and alteration of sleep physiology. Tryptophan and melatonin, given shortly before bedtime, seem to be rational treatment for melancholia. Bright light may be effective in seasonal affective disorder because it markedly strengthens the zeitgeber that controls biologic rhythms in human beings.
Maurizi
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D015415:Biomarkers; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008954:Models, Biological; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010789:Phototherapy; D012621:Seasons; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015415:Biomarkers; D014364:Tryptophan; D008550:Melatonin