Seasonal Depression Symptoms
SAD is characterized by sadness or a lack in enjoyment of daily activities. They may lose interest in families and friends, fall asleep more, or have trouble getting up, and are in search of carbohydrates that give the body quick energy.
In the fall and winter can affect the brain pathways that regulate mood. Some sufferers experience mild symptoms, while others suffer from symptoms that are so severe as to interfere in relationships and at work.
Treatment
There are many treatments available. Light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication can help people with SAD. Simple changes can aid in relieving symptoms and improve mood.
SAD can be mild, moderate or severe. It can affect a person's concentration and energy levels as well as appetite. Some people with SAD may feel irritable or angry more frequently. They may also have difficulty making decisions and concentrating. Some sufferers of SAD suffer from sleep problems, which can cause them to lack energy during the day. The changing seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight in the winter and fall seasons can affect a person’s biological rhythms. This can reduce serotonin levels and increase Melatonin. This can cause insomnia or cause depression.
People suffering from SAD typically complain of feeling sad or depressed at certain times of the year. The symptoms typically manifest in winter or the fall and then they feel better in the spring. They can also experience episodes of elation, or feeling high in the summer. SAD sufferers might experience more episodes of depression. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It's important to get an evaluation from a health doctor.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches people to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts. CBT for SAD concentrates on replacing negative thoughts about the season with more helpful ones. It assists people in finding enjoyable activities to offset their lack of interest during winter or summer.
It's not clear what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements don't have the same level of regulation as medications. They could cause serious problems when they interact with prescription medications. Consult your doctor prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplements.
Medication
The symptoms of seasonal depression disorder are more serious than a few "winter blues." If you are suffering from these mood swings throughout the year, at the same time you GP can help diagnose and manage your symptoms. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy, and medications.
Winter-pattern SAD is characterized by depressive episodes that occur each year during the winter and fall. These episodes may be associated with a lack of energy, a greater appetite, a preference for starchy foods as well as sleep disturbance and weight growth. These symptoms can lead you to feel depressed or depressed, and may even lead to suicide in extreme cases.
In addition to antidepressants, certain people suffering from SAD benefit by taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication regulates serotonin levels and dopamine levels to lessen the tendency to be irritable and lethargic. This is a relatively brand new type of antidepressant which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating SAD.
Your GP will prescribe the most effective medication for you based on the specific symptoms and severity of illness. They will probably recommend starting antidepressants in the fall before your seasonal symptoms typically begin every year and continue to take them until spring. Iam Psychiatry may also suggest using a lamp or light box to simulate sunlight, which can encourage serotonin release.
It's important that you know that, although many people suffering from SAD suffer from a lack of vitamin D, there's no evidence to support this as the reason behind the condition. However, making sure your diet is rich in healthy foods and spend enough time outdoors to get exposed to sunlight can help.
SAD is a difficult condition to manage and the symptoms can last for a long while. It is important to know that there are a variety of solutions for this condition. With the assistance of your GP you can get rid of symptoms and return to a normal lifestyle. 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
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that appears in the fall and winter and gets better during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that alter sleep, eating habits mood and behavior. Seasonal depression can be treated with antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy and light therapy.
Researchers don't know what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight causes brain chemical changes which can trigger depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to have other mental health conditions such as major depression and bipolar disorder. They could also be susceptible due to an ancestral history of mental health issues such as depression or schizophrenia.
People suffering from winter-pattern SAD typically have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin which regulates mood. Low levels of this chemical may cause problems with sleeping, thinking clearly and feeling sad. Melatonin levels might be lower in people who have SAD summer-pattern. This can affect sleep patterns and trigger feelings of depression.
The symptoms of SAD are sadness, low energy, difficulty concentrating and loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy. You may cut off contact with family and friends during the cold, dark winter months or lose weight to cope with the negative emotions. You may also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical issue that requires immediate attention.
Talk therapy can help those with SAD overcome depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. During sessions, your therapist will ask you questions and help you to be aware of your reactions to stressful situations. Then, you will work together to develop ways to approach these situations in a different manner.
Psychotherapy is most effective when it is specifically tailored to a particular issue such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising therapies available for SAD. It was created by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT is an adaptation of Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It is focused on changing negative patterns of "emotional reasoning" which can cause depression.
Light therapy
As the seasons change, seasons, many people feel sluggish and tired, and down. For some, these feelings are more severe than a typical situation of "winter blues" and can cause depression known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If you are suffering 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 to normal.
Bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, has been found to help alleviate symptoms of SAD, as well as other conditions that can affect your mood. Early morning use of a full-spectrum light or light box can reduce symptoms. Light therapy can boost serotonin production, which is a natural chemical which boosts your mood. It can also stop a decrease in your circadian clock, which is the internal clock of your body that regulates sleep cycles.
The best results for SAD are obtained by using a specific device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, about the same brightness as being outside on clear days in July. Your healthcare provider will recommend that you stand or sit in the front of the device every day for 30 minutes or more beginning in the early hours of the morning, every day of the week.
If you are suffering from headaches or eye strain, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and your. Use a light box with filters that block harmful ultraviolet radiation. These rays can cause damage to your skin and eyes. You can buy a lightbox from your healthcare provider or you can locate one online. Just make sure that it's medically approved to treat SAD.
It is essential to inform your doctor that you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental health issue, as for some people bright light therapy or antidepressants may cause a manic episode. These risks can be reduced by using these treatments with the guidance of a medical professional.