Seasonal Depression Symptoms
SAD is characterised by sadness or a decline in the enjoyment of everyday activities. They may lose interest with family and friends and sleep less, or have trouble waking up. They also crave carbohydrates, which provide the body instant energy.
The brain's mood-regulating pathways can be affected by the lack of sunlight in winter and fall. Some sufferers have mild symptoms while others suffer from symptoms that are so severe as to interfere in relationships and at work.
Treatment
There are a variety of options for treatment. Psychotherapy, light therapy and medication can help those suffering from SAD. Simple changes can aid in relieving symptoms and improve mood.
SAD can be severe or mild. It can cause changes in a person's appetite, energy levels and concentration. People with SAD may feel irritable and angry more often. They may also have trouble making decisions and concentrating. Some sufferers of SAD suffer from sleep problems, which could cause them to lose energy throughout the daytime. The change of seasons can cause symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours in the winter and fall seasons can alter a person's biological rhythms. This can reduce serotonin levels, and increase melatonin. This may cause sleepiness and cause depression.
People with SAD report feeling down or sad at certain times of the year. They usually have these symptoms in autumn or winter and feel better in spring. They may also experience a feeling of elation or feeling high in the summer. People with SAD might experience more episodes of depression than other people. SAD is sometimes confused with other mood disorders. It's important to get a diagnosis from a healthcare provider.
CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is an effective treatment option for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to confront and change thoughts that are not helpful. CBT for SAD focuses primarily on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It also assists people to find enjoyable activities to counteract the loss of interest they usually experience in the winter or summer.
It's not clear what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements do not have the same degree of control as prescription drugs. They can cause serious issues when they interact with prescription drugs. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking any dietary or herbal supplements.
Medication
The symptoms of seasonal depression are more serious than the occasional "winter blues." Your GP can identify and treat these symptoms if you experience them every year at the same time. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications.
Many people with winter-pattern SAD suffer from depressive episodes that appear and go every year during the fall and winter. These episodes may be accompanied by a lack of energy, increased appetite and an increased desire for starchy food, sleep disruption and weight gain. These symptoms can cause feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicidal thoughts in the most severe cases.
In addition to antidepressants certain people suffering from SAD benefit from taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps balance your serotonin levels and dopamine levels, which can reduce the likelihood of becoming anxious and lethargic. This is a relatively new antidepressant that has been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.
Your doctor will prescribe the best medication for you based on your symptoms and the severity. They will likely recommend that you begin antidepressants before the symptoms of seasonality usually begin each year, and continue taking them until spring. Depending on your particular symptoms they might also suggest that you use a light box or lamp to simulate sunlight and encourage the release of serotonin.
It's important that you know that, even though many people with SAD suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D, there's no evidence to suggest this as a cause for their disease. You can improve your health by eating nutritious food and spending enough time outdoors in the sunshine.
SAD can be very challenging and the symptoms can seem to persist for a long time. It is crucial to understand that there are many treatments for this condition. With the help of your GP you can overcome 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
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that appears in the fall and winter and gets better during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in sunlight exposure and biological rhythms which can affect sleep, eating mood, and behavior. The treatment for seasonal depression is by taking antidepressants, cognitive behavior therapy and light therapy.
Researchers aren't certain what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers chemical changes in the brain which can trigger depression. SAD sufferers are more likely than other people to suffer from other mental conditions, such as major depression or bipolar disorder. They could also be susceptible due to the family history of mental health problems, such as schizophrenia or depression.
Serotonin, the brain chemical that regulates mood, is usually lower in people with SAD winter-pattern. Serotonin levels that are low can affect sleep, the ability to think clearly and can cause sadness. Melatonin levels may be lower in people with SAD summer-pattern. Iampsychiatry can affect sleeping patterns and lead to depression-like feelings.
SAD symptoms include sadness, low-energy problems with concentration, sadness, and a loss of enthusiasm for the activities you normally enjoy. In some instances you may be unable to connect with family and friends during the cold, dark months or shed weight to cope with your negative emotions. You may also begin to feel suicidal, which is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Therapy can help people suffering from SAD overcome depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. During sessions, your therapist might ask you questions or suggest that you to be aware of your reactions to stressful situations. Then, you'll discuss ways to deal with these situations in a different way.
Psychotherapy is most effective when it's customized for a specific problem, for instance, SAD. One of the most promising treatments for SAD is known as cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. It was created 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 changing harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" that lead to depression.
Light therapy
Many people feel tired, sluggish and depressed when the seasons change. For some, these symptoms are more serious than a typical condition known as the "winter blues," and may lead to depression, which is known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. If you are suffering from this condition, a few lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and help restore your normal mood.
Bright light therapy, or phototherapy, has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of SAD, as well as other conditions that can affect your mood. A daily use of an e-lamp or full-spectrum light in the early morning can help alleviate symptoms. Light therapy works by increasing your production of serotonin, natural chemical that increases your mood and makes you more alert. It can also prevent a drop in your circadian clock, which is the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles.
The best results are achieved by using a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is roughly the same brightness that you get outside on a bright day in July. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you stand or sit in front of the device for 30 minutes per day, starting in the morning.
If you suffer from eye strain or headaches and headaches, you can alter the intensity and distance between the light source and your. It is important to utilize a light box that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays which can damage your eyes and skin. You can buy a lightbox from your doctor or locate one on the Internet However, be sure it's medically approved to treat SAD.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have bipolar disorder, or any other mental disorder you suffer from. Bright light therapy, or antidepressants, can cause manic episodes in certain people. These risks can be reduced by using these treatments with the guidance of a physician.