The Rev. Levi Hartle swears by red light therapy to boost his spirit.

“When I’m feeling tired, I use the machine for 10 or 15 minutes and I’m ready to go,” said Hartle, 39, who recently was transferred to the Mon Valley from his post at Holy Family Parish in Plum.

Red light therapy is among several treatments used to combat seasonal blues, also called seasonal affective disorder, which ramps up this time of year when days shorten and sunlight is scarce.

The term is used to describe episodes of depressive disorder with a specific seasonal pattern marker, said Laura Harris, licensed clinical mental health counselor at Thriveworks.

The company has 2,200 clinicians across the country who offer in-person and online care.

“This (marker) takes into account the onset of a depressive episode at a specific time of the year, fall and winter being most common, as well as the absence of said symptoms from the disorder at other times of the year — essentially a seasonal relationship,” Harris said.

Pittsburgh is among the Top 10 states in the country for people plagued by seasonal depression, coming in at No. 8, according to the Thriveworks website.

Symptoms can range from slight malaise to a complete withdrawal from social engagements and difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Other symptoms can include loneliness, fatigue and a change in appetite or personal hygiene.

Alicia Kaplan, medical director of adult anxiety and OCD at Allegheny Health Network, said some people are more sensitive to seasonality.

“A lot of Pittsburghers might feel sluggish, but it’s not affecting their ability to go into work,” Kaplan said. “People with a clinical diagnosis, on the other end, might have feelings of sadness, lower energy, weight gain and low motivation. The diagnosis comes if the feelings interfere with their functioning.”

Seasonal depression is marked by an onset in fall that dissipates in spring.

Mike Blastos, department chair of psychiatric services for Independence Health, said the affliction is becoming more widely recognized as more people are screened for depression by their primary care physicians.

“You have people who will complain about the time change and weather change, the days being more gray, and they’re not feeling motivated or they might be a little mopey,” Blastos said.

He said Western Pennsylvania is notorious for the winter doldrums because 42% of people are deficient in vitamin D, which can help regulate moods.

The good news is that treatments are plentiful and can be relatively simple.

“The biggest thing is to have a good sleep schedule and get to bed without electronics,” Blastos said. “Turn off the TV and cellphone about an hour before you go to bed.”

Experts also recommend consistent exercise and a diet high in protein and low in carbs.

“Getting outside in the morning or going for a walk or sitting by a big, bright window are all helpful,” Kaplan said.

She also suggested making plans ahead of time with friends or family.

“When people are feeling down, it’s hard to connect with others,” Kaplan said.

Having something on the books makes it more difficult to back out at the last minute, she said.

There also are plenty of over-the-counter remedies available for people to thwart the blues. Light therapy is among the most recommended.

Blastos said tabletop units can be purchased to keep on a work station or kitchen table.

“It’s this very intense bright light that you sit in front of like a computer monitor,” Blastos said.

“It’s kind of like you’re sitting in front of the sun.”

Light therapy has optimal effects, according to Paul Desan of Yale University’s Winter Depression Research Clinic.

“When we get patients on exposure to bright light for a half an hour or so every morning, the majority of patients get dramatically better,” Desan told the Associated Press.

“We don’t even need medications.”

Light therapy devices emit 10,000 lux, or 20 times brighter than typical indoor light.

“I didn’t think I would actually feel the difference, but it works,” Hartle said.

“The body starts to release that energy, and you can feel it.”

Lower Burrell chiropractor Seth Hornack offers light therapy at his Healthy U Factory at 2869 Leechburg Road.

In health care for two decades, Hornack played football at the University of Pittsburgh and keeps up with technology to restore the body and fight disease.

“We have two infrared panels that you can stand in front of,” Hornack said. “The light penetrates deep into the cells, into the mitochondria, and stimulates energy. It enhances the mood, like being out in the sun.”

His health care center features hot and cold bathtubs for muscle and joint therapy, oxygen jacuzzi tubs, infrared saunas, steam rooms, float tanks, massage chairs and traction tables, as well as red light, vibration, compression and hyperbaric therapies.

Clients can drink a shot of liquid Vitamin D, called Power Sunshine, which can help elevate their mood, Hornack said.

Kaplan said people shouldn’t feel ashamed by the seasonal blues because it’s common.

“It’s a real condition. We need to realize we’re not alone in this,” Kaplan said.

“Scheduling a sunny trip isn’t feasible for everyone, but, for us Pittsburghers, we can pack in the self-help, exercise and get out with a friend.”