Seasonal Depression Symptoms
SAD is characterised by sadness or a lack in enjoyment of daily activities. They may lose interest with family members and friends and sleep less, or have difficulty waking up. They also crave carbohydrates, which gives the body an instant boost of energy.
In the fall and winter can alter brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others experience symptoms that are so severe as to affect relationships and at work.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available. People suffering from SAD can benefit from light therapy, psychotherapy and medications. They also can make simple changes that will help ease 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 easily. They may also have trouble taking decisions or concentrating. Certain people with SAD have difficulty sleeping, which can lead to an inability to focus throughout the day. The change in seasons can cause symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours in the winter and fall months can affect a person's bio rhythms. This can decrease serotonin and increase melatonin. This may cause sleepiness and cause depression.
People suffering from SAD experience feeling depressed or sad at a certain time of the year. They usually experience these symptoms during winter or autumn months and are more comfortable in spring. In the summer, they may experience periods of feeling elevated or euphoric. People suffering from SAD may experience more episodes of depression than other people. SAD may be confused with other mood disorders. It is important to obtain a diagnosis from a healthcare professional.
CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a highly effective treatment option for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches people to challenge and change negative thoughts. CBT for SAD focuses primarily 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 the summer or winter months.
It's not known what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements can be for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements do not have the same level of regulation as medications. They can cause serious problems when they interact with prescription medications. Talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking any dietary or herbal supplements.
Medication
The symptoms of seasonal depression disorder are more serious than just a few "winter blues." If you experience these mood swings throughout the year at the same time your GP can assist in diagnosing and manage your symptoms. Treatment options include psychotherapy, light therapy and medications.
Many people with winter-pattern SAD suffer from depressive episodes that appear and go throughout the year in the winter and fall. These episodes can be caused by fatigue and a greater appetite and a craving for food that is starchy, sleep disruption, and weight growth. These symptoms can lead to feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicidal ideas in the most extreme cases.
Some people with SAD may benefit from taking a bupropion, which is a dopamine-inhibitor. This medication regulates serotonin levels and dopamine levels to reduce the likelihood of becoming irritable and lethargic. This is a relatively 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 degree of severity. They may recommend that you start antidepressants before the symptoms of seasonal depression usually begin each year, and then continue taking them until spring. symptoms of extreme depression Iam Psychiatry might also suggest using the light box or lamp to simulate sunlight, which can trigger the release serotonin.
It is important to remember that even though many people suffering from SAD feel a vitamin D deficiency however, there is no evidence that this is the cause of their condition. However, ensuring your diet is full of healthy foods and take time in the sun can help.
SAD can be a very difficult condition and the symptoms may appear to last for a long time. It is essential to know that there are many treatments for this condition, and with the help of your GP, you can overcome your symptoms and live 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 of depression that occurs in the winter and autumn and is more severe in the spring and the summer. It is caused by changes in the exposure to sunlight and biological clocks, which can affect sleep, eating habits and mood. Seasonal depression can be treated with antidepressants, cognitive therapy, and light therapy.
Researchers aren't quite sure what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers brain chemicals to change which can trigger depression. People with SAD are more likely to suffer from other mental health problems which include bipolar disorder and major depression. They may be also at risk due to a family history of mental health issues like depression or schizophrenia.
People suffering from winter-pattern SAD generally have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin that regulates mood. Serotonin levels are low and can affect sleep, the ability to think clearly and cause sadness. Melatonin levels may be lower in those with SAD summer-pattern. This can affect sleep patterns and cause depression-like symptoms.
Symptoms of SAD include depression, sadness and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a losing interest in the activities that you normally enjoy. It is possible to cut off contact with your friends and family during the cold, dark winter months or lose weight to cope with negative emotions. You might also start to feel suicidal, which is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate care.
Therapy can help people who suffer from SAD overcome depression by changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. During sessions, your therapist will ask you questions or suggest that you pay attention to your reactions to difficult situations. Then, you will collaborate to come up with ways to deal with these situations in a different way.
Psychotherapy is most successful when it is targeted to a specific problem such as SAD. One of the most promising treatments for SAD is called cognitive behavior 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 and focuses on transforming negative patterns of "emotional reasoning" that can lead to depression.
Light therapy
With the change of seasons, many people feel sluggish exhausted, fatigued and down. These feelings are more serious than the "winter's blues" and lead to depression, also referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you are suffering from this disorder, simple lifestyle changes can ease symptoms and help restore your normal mood.
Research has demonstrated that bright light therapy, also referred to as phototherapy, can 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 alleviate symptoms. Light therapy works by increasing the production of serotonin a natural chemical that boosts your mood and boosts your alertness. It also helps prevent the decline in your circadian clock, which is the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles.
The most effective results for SAD are obtained by using an instrument that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, roughly the same amount of light as outside on a clear day in July. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you stand or sit in front of the device for 30 minutes every day, starting in the morning.
There may be some headaches or eye strain while using the light source, however these effects usually go away by adjusting the intensity of the light and distance between you and the light source. Use a light box with a filter that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays. These radiations can cause damage to your skin and eyes. You can buy the lightbox from your healthcare provider or find one on the internet. Just make sure that it is medically approved to treat SAD.
It is essential to inform your healthcare provider if you have bipolar disorder or another mental health condition, because for some people bright light therapy or antidepressants may trigger a manic episode. These risks can be minimized through these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.