Seasonal Depression Symptoms

SAD is characterized by sadness or a lack in enjoyment of everyday activities. They may lose interest in family and friends, sleep more, or have trouble waking up. They also crave carbohydrates, which give the body instant energy.

Less sunlight in fall and winter can impact brain pathways that regulate mood. Some people have mild symptoms, but others suffer from symptoms that are severe enough to affect relationships and work.

Treatment

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

SAD can be mild, moderate or even severe. It can cause changes in the person's appetite, energy levels and concentration. Some people with SAD can feel irritable and angry more easily. They may also have difficulty taking decisions or concentrating. Certain people with SAD experience difficulty sleeping, which may cause them to be deficient in energy throughout the day. The change in seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours during the winter and fall seasons can alter a person's biological rhythms. This can reduce serotonin levels, and increase Melatonin levels. This may cause sleepiness and cause depression.

People suffering from SAD typically complain of feeling sad or depressed at a certain time of the year. These symptoms typically occur in the fall or winter, and they feel better in spring. They can also experience episodes of elation or feeling high in the summertime. SAD patients may have more depression-related episodes. SAD is sometimes confused with other mood disorders. It's important to get an assessment from a medical professional.

CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is an effective treatment option for SAD. CBT is a kind 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 positive ones. It also assists people in finding enjoyable activities to counteract the lack of interest they experience during the summer or winter months.

It's not clear how effective herbal supplements or remedies are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements do not have the same level of control as prescription drugs. They can interact with certain prescription drugs and cause serious health issues. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any herbal or dietary supplements.

Medication

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

Many people with winter-pattern SAD have depression-like episodes that come and go every year during the fall and winter. These episodes can be accompanied by a lack energy, an increased appetite and a craving for starchy food and sleep disturbances, as well as weight gain. These symptoms can lead you to feel hopeless and despairing, or even suicidal in severe instances.

Some people with SAD might benefit from taking a bupropion, a dopamine-inhibitor. This medication balances your serotonin levels and dopamine levels to reduce the possibility of being irritable and lethargic. This is a relatively brand new type of antidepressant that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the right medication for you, according to 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. They may recommend using the light box or lamp to simulate sunlight, which will encourage serotonin to release.

It's important to know that even though many people suffering from SAD suffer from an absence of vitamin D, there is no proof that this is the cause of their illness. However, making sure your diet is rich in healthy foods and that you spend sufficient time outside to expose yourself to sunlight can aid in reducing.

SAD is a difficult illness to deal with and the symptoms can last for an extended time. It is crucial to understand that there are numerous treatments for this condition. With the help of your GP you can conquer symptoms and resume a normal lifestyle. For more information on seasonal affective disorder and other mental health symptoms 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 can be seen in winter and fall seasons and increases during spring and summer. It is caused by changes in sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that can affect sleep, eating mood, and behavior. Antidepressants, light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can help improve symptoms of seasonal depression.

Researchers aren't sure the cause of SAD. But they think that less sunlight triggers a chemical change in the brain that leads to depression. SAD sufferers are more likely than other people to be suffering from mental disorders, like bipolar disorder or major depression. They also may be at risk because of family history, such as a relative who has schizophrenia or depression.

People with winter-pattern SAD generally have lower levels of the brain chemical serotonin which regulates mood. Insufficient levels of this chemical could result in problems sleeping and focusing, as well as being sad. People with summer-related SAD may have lower levels of melatonin, which can impact sleeping patterns and trigger depression-related symptoms.

Symptoms of SAD include depression, fatigue and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a losing interest in the activities that you normally enjoy. It is possible to be unable to connect with your family and friends during dark, cold months or lose weight in order to cope with the negative emotions. You may also start to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical problem that requires immediate attention.

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

Psychotherapy is most successful when it is tailored to a specific issue like SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments available for SAD. CBT was developed by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT was an adaptation of Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It is focused on reversing the harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" that can lead to depression.

Light therapy

As the seasons change, seasons many people feel slow, tired and down in the dumps. For some, these issues are more serious than a typical case of the "winter blues" and can lead to depression, which is known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If you suffer from this condition, a few lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms of bipolar depression and restore your normal mood.

Research has proven that bright light therapy, also referred to as phototherapy, can help improve symptoms of SAD and other conditions that affect your mood. A morning routine of using a full spectrum light or light box can help reduce symptoms. Light therapy boosts serotonin levels, a natural chemical that boosts your mood. It also helps prevent a dip in your circadian rhythm, the internal clock in your body that regulates 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 brightness that you get outside on a bright day in July. Your doctor may recommend that you stand or sit in front subtle recognizing signs of depression of depression (writes in the official Telegra blog) the device for 30 minutes every day, starting in the morning.

You might experience eye strain or headaches while using the light source, however these effects typically disappear if you adjust the intensity of the light and the distance between you and the light source. It's important to use a light box that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that could harm your eyes and skin. You can buy a lightbox from your healthcare provider or find one on the Internet, but make sure it's medically approved to treat SAD.

It is important to inform your healthcare professional whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or another mental health issue, as for some people, bright light therapy or antidepressants could cause a manic episode. These risks can be minimized by utilizing these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.