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Seasonal Depression Symptoms

SAD is characterised by sadness or a deficiency in enjoyment of everyday activities. They may become less interested in their family and friends, sleep more, or have trouble getting up, and they crave carbs that provide quick energy.

The lack of sunlight in autumn and winter can alter brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some sufferers experience mild symptoms, while others experience symptoms that are so severe as to interfere in relationships and at work.

Treatment

The good news is that treatment options are readily available. Patients suffering from SAD can benefit from light therapy, psychotherapy and medication. They can also make simple changes that can help relieve their symptoms and improve their mood.

SAD can be mild or severe. It can lead to changes in the person's energy levels, appetite, and concentration. People with SAD may experience irritability or angry more frequently. They may also have trouble taking decisions and concentrating. Some people suffering from SAD experience difficulty sleeping and this could cause them to lose energy throughout the daytime. The changing seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter days in fall and winter may affect a person’s biological rhythms. Serotonin levels can drop and increase Melatonin. This may cause sleepiness and cause depression.

People with SAD frequently complain of feeling sad or depressed at a certain time of the year. These symptoms typically occur in winter or the fall, and they feel better in the spring. They can also experience episodes of elation or feeling high in the summertime. People suffering from SAD may have more depression episodes than other people. SAD is often confused with other mood disorders. It's crucial to seek an medical diagnosis.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals to challenge and alter negative thoughts. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It assists people to find fun activities to counteract their lack of interest during winter or summer.

It's unclear 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 can 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 depressive disorder are more serious than just 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 medication.

Many people with winter-pattern SAD experience depressive episodes that come and go throughout the year in the winter and fall. These episodes are often accompanied by a lack of energy, a greater appetite, a preference for starchy foods as well as sleep disturbance and weight gain. These psychological symptoms Of depression can cause you to feel helpless or depressed, and may even lead to suicide in extreme instances.

In addition to antidepressants certain people suffering from SAD benefit by taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps balance your serotonin and dopamine levels, reducing the feeling of being depressed and angry. This is a relatively recent antidepressant that is approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.

Your GP will prescribe the most effective medication for you based on your particular symptoms and severity of illness. They'll likely suggest that you begin antidepressants before the symptoms of seasonality usually begin each year, and then continue taking them until spring. Depending on your particular symptoms they might also suggest that you utilize a light box or lamp to mimic sunlight and encourage the release of serotonin.

It's important that you know that, although many people with SAD suffer from a lack of vitamin D, there's no evidence to support this as the reason behind the disease. However, making sure your diet is full of healthy foods and that you spend enough time outdoors in the sun can help.

SAD can be a very difficult condition and the symptoms can appear to last for a long period of time. It is crucial to understand that there are many ways to treat this condition. With the assistance of your GP you can get rid of 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 kind of depression that is seen in the winter and fall and improves during spring and summer. It is caused by changes to the exposure to sunlight and biological clocks, which may cause disturbances in sleep, eating habits and mood. Seasonal depression can be treated by taking antidepressants, cognitive behavior therapy, and light therapy.

Researchers aren't sure what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers a chemical shift in the brain that can lead to depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to suffer from other mental health issues such as major depression and bipolar disorder. They could also be at risk due to family history, such as relatives with schizophrenia or depression.

People with winter-pattern SAD generally have lower levels of the brain chemical serotonin that regulates mood. Insufficient levels of this chemical may result in problems sleeping and thinking clearly, as well as feeling sad. People who suffer from summer-pattern SAD might have lower melatonin levels, which can affect sleeping patterns and trigger depression-related symptoms of bipolar depression.

SAD symptoms include depression, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy. In certain instances you may cut off contact with family and friends during the wintery, cold months or lose weight to deal with your negative emotions. You might also start to feel suicidal or suicidal, which is a major medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Talk therapy can help those who suffer from SAD overcome depression by changing negative thought patterns and behavior. During sessions, your therapist will ask you questions and encourage you to pay attention to how you respond to stressful situations. You will then work together to discover new ways to deal with these situations.

Psychotherapy is most successful when it's tailored to a specific issue, such as SAD. One of the most promising treatments for SAD is known as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. CBT was developed by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is an adaptation of Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behaviour therapy. It focuses on transforming destructive patterns of "emotional warning signs of depression reasoning" that can lead to depression.

Light therapy

As the seasons change, seasons, many people feel sluggish and tired, and down in the dumps. For some, these feelings are more serious 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, a few lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and help restore your normal mood.

Research has proven that bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, can alleviate symptoms of SAD and other conditions that affect your mood. The daily use of light boxes or specialized full-spectrum light in the early signs of depression morning hours can help alleviate symptoms. Light therapy increases your serotonin levels, a natural chemical that boosts your mood. It also helps prevent a drop in your circadian clock, the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles.

The most effective results for SAD are obtained by using a special device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, about the same amount of light as outside on clear days in July. Your healthcare professional will recommend that you stand or sit in front of the device each day for at least 30 minutes, starting in the early hours of the morning, all week.

There may be some headaches or eye strain while using the light, but 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 blocks harmful ultraviolet rays which can harm your eyes and the skin. You can buy a lightbox through your healthcare provider, or you can locate one online. Just make sure that it is medically approved to treat SAD.

It is important to inform your healthcare professional that you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental health issue, as in some individuals bright light therapy or antidepressants may trigger a manic attack. These risks can be minimized by using these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.