Final answer:
The patient's yearly depressive episodes around fall suggest Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), for which light therapy involving exposure to bright artificial light is a suitable non-drug treatment. It adjusts melatonin production to match the body's circadian rhythms, unlike medications such as risperidone or alprazolam.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment plan for a patient presenting with symptoms of hypersomnia, hyperphagia, psychomotor slowing, and depressed mood that occur seasonally, typically around October or November, should likely focus on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in the winter. The role of melatonin in SAD is crucial, as it is a hormone that regulates sleep and is influenced by light exposure. Melatonin production increases in the dark, so during the winter months with shorter daylight hours, melatonin levels can disrupt normal circadian rhythms, leading to depressive symptoms. One effective non-drug therapy for SAD includes exposure to bright artificial light for 2 to 6 hours per day to mimic the effects of natural sunlight and adjust the body's melatonin production. This treatment option aligns with choice C.
As such, therapies like psychotherapy, light therapy, and certain antidepressants including selective melatonin reuptake inhibitors are considered appropriate. Medications like risperidone, naloxone, or alprazolam are not typically used as first-line treatments for SAD.