Seasonal Depression Symptoms

SAD is characterised by sadness or a decline in enjoyment of everyday activities. They may lose interest in families and friends, fall asleep more or have trouble waking up, and crave carbohydrates that give the body quick energy.

The brain's mood-regulating pathways could be affected by the lack of sunlight during winter and fall. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others experience symptoms that are so severe as to interfere in relationships and at work.

Treatment

There are a variety of treatment options available. Psychotherapy, light therapy, and medication can assist people with SAD. They can also make small changes that can help relieve symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be mild or severe. It can cause changes in the person's energy levels, appetite and concentration. Some people with SAD may experience irritability or angry more frequently. They may also have difficulty taking decisions and concentrating. Certain sufferers of SAD experience difficulty sleeping, which may cause them to be deficient in energy throughout the daytime. Symptoms of SAD can be caused by the changing seasons. The shorter daylight hours in the fall and winter can affect a person's bio rhythms. This can lower serotonin levels and increase Melatonin levels. This can lead to insomnia or depression.

People suffering from SAD typically report feeling down or sad at a certain time of the year. They usually experience these symptoms in the winter or autumn and feel better in spring. They may also experience moments of elation or feeling awestruck in the summertime. SAD patients may experience more episodes of depression. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It's important to get an evaluation from a health professional.

CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a highly effective treatment option for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps people to challenge and change negative thoughts. CBT for SAD focuses primarily on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It also assists people in finding enjoyable activities to counteract the lack of interest they experience during the winter or summer.

It's not clear how effective herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements don't have the same level of control as prescription drugs. They can cause serious problems when they interact with prescription drugs. Talk to your doctor prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplement.

Medication

The symptoms of seasonal depression disorder are more severe than a few "winter blues." Your GP can identify and treat these symptoms when you experience them each year at the same time. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy, and medications.

Many people who suffer from winter-pattern SAD suffer from recognizing depressive symptoms episodes that appear and go throughout the year in the fall and winter. These episodes are often accompanied by a lack energy, an increased appetite and a desire for food that is starchy and sleep disturbances, as well as weight increase. These symptoms can trigger feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicidal thoughts in most extreme cases.

Some people with SAD may benefit from taking a bupropion, a dopamine-inhibitor. This medication helps balance your serotonin and dopamine levels and reduces the feeling of being depressed and anxious. This is a relatively new antidepressant that is approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the right medication for you based on your symptoms and the severity. They may recommend that you begin antidepressants prior to when the symptoms of seasonality usually begin every year, and keep taking them until spring. Based on the specific symptoms you experience, they may also recommend that you use a lightbox or lamp to simulate sunlight and promote the release of serotonin.

It is important to know that, even though many people with SAD suffer from a lack of vitamin D, there's no evidence to suggest this as the reason behind the disease. However, making sure your diet is a source of healthy foods and that you take time to expose yourself to sunlight can aid in reducing.

SAD can be a very difficult condition, and the symptoms can appear to last for a long time. It is important to know that there are numerous solutions for this condition. With the help of your GP you can overcome symptoms and get back to regular 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 is common in winter and fall seasons and increases during spring and the summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms which can affect sleep, eating 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 a lack of sunlight triggers chemical changes in the brain which lead to depression. People with SAD are more likely to suffer from other mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and major depressive symptoms depression. They may be also at risk due to a family history recognizing signs of depression mental health problems, such as schizophrenia or depression.

People suffering from winter-pattern SAD often have lower levels of the brain chemical serotonin which regulates mood. Serotonin levels are low and can affect sleep and the ability to think clearly and lead to sadness. Melatonin levels could be lower in people with SAD summer-pattern. This can affect sleep patterns and cause feelings of depression.

SAD symptoms include sadness, low energy problems with concentration, sadness, and a lack of interest in the things you normally like. In certain instances, you might be unable to connect with family and friends during the cold, dark months or shed weight as a way to deal with your emotional turmoil. You may also begin to feel suicidal, which is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Talk therapy can help those suffering from SAD overcome depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. During sessions, your therapist might ask you questions and encourage you to pay attention to how you respond to difficult situations. Together, you'll work to come up with new ways to deal with these situations.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's tailored to a specific issue, for instance, SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising therapies available for SAD. CBT was created by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is an adaptation of Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on changing destructive patterns of "emotional reasoning" that can lead to depression.

Light therapy

Many people feel exhausted, sluggish and depressed when the seasons change. These symptoms can be more serious than the "winter's blues" and may lead to teenage depression symptoms, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you're suffering from this disorder, simple lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and restore your normal mood.

Bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, has been found to improve symptoms of SAD, as well as other conditions that can affect your mood. Early morning use of a light with a full spectrum or box can reduce symptoms. Light therapy can boost serotonin production, which is a natural chemical which boosts your mood. It can also prevent the deterioration signs of depression in adults your circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles and other important functions.

The best results can be obtained by using a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is roughly the same brightness you would get outside on a bright day in July. Your doctor will suggest you sit or stand in front of the device each day for at least 30 minutes starting in the early morning hours, seven days a week.

There may be some eye strain or headaches while using the light, however these effects usually go away by adjusting the intensity of the light and the distance between you and the light source. It is essential 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 from your physician or find one on the Internet, but make sure that it's approved by a medical professional to treat SAD.

It is essential to inform your healthcare provider whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental health problem, as in some people bright light therapy or antidepressants could trigger a manic episode. These risks can be minimized by using these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.