Seasonal Depression Symptoms
SAD is characterized by sadness or a deficiency in enjoyment of everyday activities. They may lose interest in family and friends and sleep less, or have difficulty getting up. They also crave carbohydrates, which give the body instant energy.
The brain's mood-regulating pathways could be affected by the absence of sunlight during the fall and winter months. Some sufferers have mild symptoms while others experience symptoms that are so severe as to cause problems in relationships and at work.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatments available. Psychotherapy, light therapy and medication can help those suffering from SAD. They can also make small adjustments that can ease symptoms and improve mood.
SAD can be either severe or mild. It can affect people's concentration and energy levels as well as appetite. People with SAD may feel irritable or angry more frequently. They may also have difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Some people with SAD experience difficulty sleeping and may cause them to be deficient in energy throughout the daytime. The changing seasons can cause symptoms of SAD. The shorter days in fall and winter may alter the biological rhythms of a person. This can reduce serotonin levels, and increase melatonin. This can increase sleepiness or cause depression.
People who suffer from SAD feel sad or down at a particular time of the year. They usually have these symptoms in winter or autumn and feel better in spring. In the summer, they may have episodes where they feel elevated or euphoric. People suffering from SAD might experience more depression episodes than other people. SAD is sometimes confused with other mood disorders. It is essential to get a medical diagnosis.
CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a successful treatment option for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to challenge and change unhelpful thinking. CBT for SAD concentrates on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It helps people find fun activities to counteract their lack of interest in the summer or winter.
It's not known what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements aren't regulated in the similar way medicines are. They may interact with certain prescription medications and cause serious issues. Consult your healthcare provider prior to taking any dietary or herbal supplement.
Medication
The symptoms of seasonal depression are much more serious than the occasional "winter blues." If you suffer from these changes in mood each year around the same time, your GP can help diagnose and treat your symptoms. Treatment options include psychotherapy, light therapy and medications.
Many people suffering from winter-pattern SAD suffer from depressive episodes that appear and go each year in the winter and fall. These episodes can be accompanied by a lack of energy, increased appetite and an increased desire for starchy food along with sleep disruption and weight gain. clinical depression symptoms can trigger feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts in most severe cases.
In addition to antidepressants, certain people suffering from SAD benefit by taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication balances your serotonin levels and dopamine levels to lessen the likelihood of becoming anxious and lethargic. This is a relatively brand new type of antidepressant that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be used in the treatment of SAD.
Your physician will prescribe the best medication for you based on your specific symptoms and severity of illness. They'll likely suggest that you begin antidepressants prior to when the symptoms of seasonality usually begin every year, and keep taking them until spring. They may recommend using a lamp or light box to simulate sunlight, which can trigger serotonin to release.
It's important to note that while many people with SAD feel an absence of vitamin D, there is no proof that this is the cause of their condition. You can improve your health by eating an appropriate diet and spending enough time in the sun.
SAD can be a very difficult condition and the symptoms can seem to last for a long time. It is essential to recognize that there are a variety of treatments for this condition. with the help of your GP you can conquer the symptoms and resume a normal life. For more information on seasonal affective disorder and other mental health conditions, visit the Health Matters blog(link opens in a new window) at NewYork-Presbyterian.
Cognitive behavior therapy
SAD is a type of depression that occurs in the fall and winter and is more severe in the spring and the summer. It is caused by changes in sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that disrupt sleep, eating, mood and behavior. Light therapy, antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can ease symptoms of seasonal depression.
Researchers aren't sure what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers a change in the chemical in the brain that leads to depression. SAD patients are more likely than other people to suffer from other mental conditions, such as bipolar disorder or major depression. They also may be at risk due to family history, for example, someone in the family with schizophrenia or depression.
Serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, is typically lower in people with SAD winter-pattern. Serotonin levels are low and can affect sleep and the ability to concentrate and cause sadness. Melatonin levels may be lower in those with SAD summer-pattern. This can affect sleeping patterns and lead to feelings of depression.
SAD symptoms include depression, fatigue and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy. In some cases you may cut off contact with family and friends during the cold, dark months or lose weight as a way to cope with your emotions that are negative. You may also begin to feel suicidal and this is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers overcome depression through the modification of bad habits of thinking and behavior. During sessions, your therapist will ask you questions and help you pay attention to how you respond to stressful situations. Together, you'll work to discover new ways to handle these situations.
Psychotherapy is most effective when it's tailored to a specific issue, such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising therapies available for SAD. Developed by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT is built on Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy and focuses on transforming harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" which can cause depression.
Light therapy
With the changing of the seasons people can feel tired, tired and down in the dumps. For some, these issues are more severe than a typical condition known as the "winter blues," and can cause depression, which is known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If you suffer from this condition it is possible to make a few minor lifestyle changes and the assistance of medication or psychotherapy can relieve your symptoms and restore your mood back to normal.
Bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, has been shown to reduce symptoms of SAD and other conditions that affect your mood. The early morning use of a full spectrum light or light box can help reduce symptoms. Light therapy works by increasing the production of serotonin natural chemical that increases your mood and makes you more alert. It also helps prevent the deterioration of your circadian rhythm. This is the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles, and other important functions.
The best results can be achieved with a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is about the same amount of brightness you get outside on a bright day in July. Your healthcare provider will recommend you sit or stand in front of the device each day for a minimum of 30 minutes beginning in the early morning, every day of the week.
You may experience some headaches or eye strain while using the light, however these effects typically disappear when you alter the intensity of the light and the distance between you and the light source. It's important to make use of a light source that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause damage to your eyes and skin. You can buy a lightbox from your physician or find one on the Internet however, make sure that it's approved by a medical professional for the treatment of SAD.
It is important to inform your healthcare provider whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental health issue, as in some people bright light therapy or antidepressants can trigger a manic episode. These risks can be reduced through these treatments under the guidance of a physician.