Seasonal Depression Symptoms
As with other types of depression, people suffering from SAD feel depressed or have a feeling of sadness in their daily activities. They may lose interest in friends and family, sleep more often or have difficulty getting up, and are in search of carbohydrates that provide quick energy.
The lack of sunlight in autumn and winter can affect the brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others experience symptoms that are severe enough to cause problems in relationships and at work.
Treatment
The good news is that treatment options are readily available. Psychotherapy, light therapy and medication can help sufferers with SAD. Simple changes can aid in relieving symptoms and improve mood.
SAD can be severe or mild. It can trigger changes in a person's energy levels, appetite and concentration. Some people suffering from SAD might feel irritable and angry more frequently. They may also have trouble concentrating and making decisions. Certain people with SAD have difficulty sleeping and this can cause an inability to focus during the daytime. The changing seasons can cause symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight in the winter and fall seasons can alter the biological rhythms of a person. This can reduce serotonin levels and increase Melatonin. This could cause sleepiness or depression.
People suffering from SAD experience feeling depressed or sad at a certain time of the year. They usually experience these symptoms in autumn or winter and feel better in spring. They may also experience a feeling of elation or feeling awestruck in the summer. People suffering from SAD may experience more depression episodes than other people. SAD is often confused with other mood disorders. It's crucial to seek a medical diagnosis.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to challenge and change negative thinking. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It helps people find enjoyable activities to combat their lack of interest during winter or summer.
It's not clear what the efficacy of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many dietary and herbal supplements aren't regulated in the same way as drugs are. They can interact with prescription medications and cause serious issues. Talk to your doctor prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplement.
Medication
The symptoms of seasonal depression are much more severe than the occasional "winter blues." Your GP can identify and treat these symptoms when you experience them throughout the year at the same time. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications.
Many people suffering from winter-pattern SAD suffer from depressive episodes that appear and go throughout the year in the winter and fall. These episodes are often accompanied by a lack of energy, a greater appetite, an increased desire for starchy food along with sleep disruption and weight growth. These symptoms can lead you to feel helpless or depressed, and may even lead to suicide in severe instances.
In addition to antidepressants some people with SAD benefit from taking a dopamine-inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps balance the levels of dopamine and serotonin which reduce the possibility of feeling depressed and angry. This is a relatively brand new type signs of emotional distress -
continue reading this - antidepressant that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be used to treat SAD.
Your doctor will prescribe the right medication for you, depending on your symptoms and the severity. They will probably recommend that you begin antidepressants in the fall before the symptoms of seasonal depression typically begin each year and continue to take them until spring. They might also suggest that you use an artificial light source or a light box to simulate sunlight, which can trigger the release serotonin.
It's important that you know that, although many people suffering from SAD suffer from a lack of vitamin D, there is no evidence to support this as a cause for the condition. You can improve your health by eating a healthy diet and spending enough time in the sunshine.
SAD can be extremely challenging and the symptoms may appear to persist for a long time. But it is crucial to recognize that there are many treatments for this condition. with the assistance of your GP, you can overcome your
symptoms of clinical depression and return to your normal 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 type depression that is common in fall and winter and is more severe in the spring and the summer. It is caused by changes in sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that can affect sleep, eating mood, and behavior. Light therapy, antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can ease symptoms of seasonal depression.
Researchers aren't sure the cause of SAD. They believe that a lack of sunlight causes chemical changes in the brain which lead to depression. SAD patients are more likely than other people to suffer from other
mental health symptoms of depression disorders, like bipolar disorder or major depression. They may be also at risk due to the family history of mental health problems like schizophrenia or depression.
People with winter-pattern SAD typically have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin which regulates mood. Low levels of serotonin can affect sleep, the ability to concentrate and lead to sadness. Melatonin levels may be lower in those with SAD summer-pattern. This can affect sleep patterns and cause depression-like feelings.
SAD symptoms include sadness, low energy problems with concentration, sadness, and a decrease in interest in the activities you normally enjoy. In some cases, you might withdraw from friends and family during the wintery, cold months or lose weight as a way to deal with your negative emotions. You might also start to feel suicidal and this is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers recover from
depression symptoms in seniors by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. In sessions of psychotherapy, your therapist will ask questions and help you to pay attention to your reactions to difficult situations. Then, you will work together to come up with 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, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT is based on Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It is focused on reversing the harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" that can lead to depression.
Light therapy
Many people feel tired, slow and depressed as the seasons change. For some, these issues are more severe than a typical situation of "winter blues" and can lead to depression called seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If you suffer from this disorder just a few lifestyle changes, as well as the help of psychotherapy or medication could relieve your symptoms and restore your mood back to normal.
Research has proven that bright light therapy, also referred to as phototherapy, can improve
symptoms of clinical depression of SAD and other conditions that affect your mood. Utilizing a light box or specialized full-spectrum light during the early morning hours can help alleviate your symptoms. Light therapy boosts serotonin production, a natural chemical that boosts your mood. It also helps prevent the deterioration of your circadian rhythm. This is the body's
internal signs of depression clock that controls sleep cycles and other important functions.
The best results can be achieved with a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is roughly the same amount of brightness you get outside on a bright day 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, starting in the early hours of the morning, all week.
There may be some headaches or eye strain when using the light source, however these effects usually go away when you alter the intensity of the light and the distance between you and the light source. It's important to utilize a light box that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays which can harm your eyes and the skin. You can buy a lightbox from your doctor, or you can find one on the internet. Be sure to ensure that it's medically endorsed to treat SAD.
It is important to inform your doctor whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or another mental health issue, as in some individuals, bright light therapy or antidepressants could trigger a manic attack. The risk can be minimized by utilizing these treatments under the guidance of a physician.
