Seasonal Depression Symptoms
SAD is characterised by sadness or a decline in the enjoyment of everyday activities. They may become less interested in their friends and family, sleep more often or have difficulty getting up, and crave carbohydrates that provide quick energy.
Less sunlight in fall and winter can alter brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some people may experience mild symptoms, but others experience symptoms that are serious enough to disrupt relationships and work.
Treatment
There are many treatment options available. People suffering from SAD can benefit from light therapy, psychotherapy and medications. Simple changes can also help relieve symptoms and improve mood.
SAD can be mild, moderate or severe. It can affect someone's concentration, energy level and appetite. People with SAD may feel angry and frustrated more frequently. They might also have trouble taking decisions and concentrating. Certain people with SAD experience difficulty sleeping and this may cause them to be deficient in energy throughout the daytime. The symptoms of SAD can be caused by the changing seasons. The shorter days in winter and autumn seasons could affect a person’s biological rhythms. It can decrease serotonin levels, and increase the level of melatonin. This could cause sleepiness or depression.
People with SAD frequently report feeling down or sad at certain times of the year. They usually experience these symptoms in winter or autumn months and are more comfortable in spring. In summer, they might experience episodes where they feel happy or high. SAD sufferers may experience more episodes of depression. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is essential to get medical advice.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps people to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It assists people in finding enjoyable activities to offset their lack of interest in the summer or winter months.
It's not known what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements can be for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements do not have the same degree of control as prescription drugs. They could cause serious problems when they interact with prescription drugs. Talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplements.
Medication
The symptoms of seasonal depressive disorder are more severe than a few "winter blues." Your GP can diagnose and treat these symptoms when you experience them throughout the year at the same time. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications.
The winter-pattern SAD is characterised by depressive episodes that take place each year during the winter and fall. These episodes can be accompanied by a lack energy and a greater appetite, a preference for starchy foods as well as sleep disturbances and weight gain. These symptoms can cause feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicidal thoughts in most extreme cases.
In addition to antidepressants some people with SAD benefit from taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps balance your levels of serotonin and dopamine which reduce the tendency to feel lethargic and irritable. Iampsychiatry is a relatively recent antidepressant that has been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.
Your GP will prescribe the best medication option for you based on your specific symptoms and severity of illness. They may suggest starting antidepressants in the fall, before your seasonal symptoms typically start each year, and continue to take them until spring. Depending on your particular symptoms they might also suggest that you use a light box or lamp to mimic sunlight and encourage the release of serotonin.
It's crucial to understand that, even though many people suffering from SAD suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D, there is no evidence to support this as the reason behind the disease. However, making sure your diet is a source of healthy foods and that you spend sufficient time outside to get exposed to sunlight can aid in reducing.
SAD is a challenging condition to manage, and symptoms can last a long while. It is important to know that there are many ways to treat this condition. With the assistance of your GP you can conquer symptoms and resume an ordinary 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 form of depression that occurs in the winter and autumn and increases during spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight and biological clocks that can affect sleep, eating habits and mood. Light therapy, antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can help improve symptoms of seasonal depression.
Researchers aren't sure the cause of SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers brain chemicals to change which lead to depression. People with SAD are more likely to have other mental health conditions, including major depression and bipolar disorder. They may also be at risk due to family history, for example, someone in the family with depression or schizophrenia.
People with winter-pattern SAD typically have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin, which regulates mood. Low levels of this chemical may result in problems sleeping and thinking clearly, as well as feeling sad. People who suffer from summer-related SAD may have lower levels of melatonin, which can affect sleep patterns and cause feelings of depression.
SAD symptoms include sadness, low energy and difficulty concentrating, as well as losing interest in the activities you normally enjoy. In some instances you may cut off contact with family and friends during the dark, snowy months or shed weight to deal with your negative emotions. You might also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical problem that requires immediate attention.
Therapy can help people who suffer from SAD overcome depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. During sessions, your therapist may ask you questions or suggest that you to be aware of your reactions to stressful situations. Then, you will collaborate to come up with ways to deal with these situations differently.
Psychotherapy is most effective when it is targeted to a specific problem, such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments available for SAD. CBT was created by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is based on Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on transforming harmful patterns of “emotional reasoning" that cause depression.
Light therapy
With the change of seasons many people feel slow and tired, and down in the dumps. These feelings could be more serious than the "winter's blues" and may lead to depression, which is also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you suffer from this condition it is possible to make a few minor lifestyle changes and the assistance of psychotherapy or medication could alleviate your symptoms and bring your mood back to normal.
Research has proven that bright light therapy, also referred to as phototherapy, can help improve symptoms of SAD and other conditions affecting your mood. Utilizing a light box or specialized full-spectrum lighting in the early morning can help alleviate symptoms. Light therapy increases your serotonin levels, a natural chemical that improves your mood. It can also prevent the decline in your circadian rhythm, the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles, as well as other vital functions.
The most effective results for SAD can be achieved by using a specific device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, roughly the same brightness as being outside on an uncloudy day in July. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you sit or stand in front of the device for 30 minutes each day, beginning in the morning.
If you experience eye strain or headaches, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and your. It's important to utilize a light box that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays that can harm your eyes and the skin. You can purchase a lightbox from your doctor, or find one online. Make sure it's medically approved to treat SAD.
Tell your healthcare provider if bipolar disorder, or any other mental condition you are suffering from. Bright light therapy, also known as antidepressants can cause manic episodes in some individuals. These risks can be mitigated by using these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.