Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Like other types of depression, people suffering from SAD experience sadness or a feeling of sadness in their everyday activities. They may lose interest in family and friends and may sleep more or have difficulty getting up. They also have a craving for carbohydrates, which give the body an instant boost of energy.

The lack of sunlight in autumn and winter can impact brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some people have mild symptoms, but others experience symptoms that are serious enough to disrupt relationships and work.

Treatment

There are a variety of treatment options available. Light therapy, psychotherapy, and medications can aid people with SAD. They can also make simple changes that can help relieve their symptoms and improve their mood.

SAD can be severe or mild. It can affect someone's concentration, energy level and appetite. Some people with SAD can feel irritable and angry more easily. They may also have difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Certain people with SAD have trouble sleeping well and this can cause fatigue throughout the day. Symptoms of SAD can be triggered by the change in seasons. The shorter daylight in the winter and fall seasons can alter a person's biological rhythms. It can decrease serotonin levels, and increase Melatonin levels. This can increase sleepiness or cause depression.

People who have SAD often feel sad or depressed at certain times of the year. They usually have these symptoms during autumn or winter and feel better in spring. In the summer, they can also experience periods of feeling elevated or euphoric. People with SAD may experience more depression episodes than other people. SAD is sometimes confused with other mood disorders. It is important to obtain a diagnosis from a healthcare professional.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to confront and change unhelpful thinking. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It also assists people in finding enjoyable activities to combat the lack of interest that they usually experience in 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 degree of regulation as medications. They can cause serious problems when they interact with prescription drugs. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking any herbal or dietary supplements.

Medication

The symptoms of seasonal depressive disorder are more serious than just a few "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 who suffer from winter-pattern SAD suffer from depressive episodes that come and go every year during the winter and fall. These episodes are often accompanied by a lack of energy, an increase in appetite and a preference for starchy foods, sleep disruption and weight gain. These symptoms can lead you to feel hopeless and despairing, or even suicidal in severe cases.

Some people with SAD might benefit from taking bupropion, which is a dopamine-inhibitor. This medication helps balance your serotonin levels and dopamine levels to lessen the tendency to be unmotivated and irritable. This is a relatively brand new type signs of depression worsening antidepressant that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be used in treating SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the best medication for you depending on your symptoms and the severity. They might suggest starting antidepressants in the fall before your symptoms that are seasonal start each year, and continue taking them until spring. Based on your specific symptoms, they may also recommend that you use a light box or lamp to mimic sunlight and stimulate the release of serotonin.

It is important to remember that although many people with SAD suffer from a vitamin D deficiency however, there is no evidence of this being the cause of their condition. You can improve your health by eating an appropriate diet and spending enough time in the sunlight.

SAD can be a very difficult condition and the symptoms can appear to last for a long time. It is essential to understand that there are numerous ways to treat this condition. With the help of your GP you can conquer symptoms and get back to 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

SAD is a type of depression that occurs in the winter and autumn and increases during spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that can alter sleep, eating habits mood and behavior. Antidepressants, light therapy, and cognitive signs of depression behavioral therapy can help improve symptoms of seasonal depression.

Researchers aren't certain what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers brain chemicals to change that can lead to depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to suffer from other mental health problems which include major depression and bipolar disorder. They may also be susceptible due to the family history of mental health problems such as depression or schizophrenia.

People suffering from winter-pattern SAD often have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin, which regulates mood. The low levels of this chemical could result in problems sleeping and focusing, as well as being sad. People who suffer from summer-related SAD may have lower melatonin levels, which can impact sleep patterns and cause depression symptoms.

SAD symptoms include sadness, low energy as well as difficulty concentrating and a decrease in interest in the things you normally enjoy. It is possible to cut off contact with family and friends during the cold, dark winter months or lose weight to deal with negative emotions. You may also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.

Talk therapy can help SAD sufferers recover from depression through the change of negative thoughts and behaviors. In the sessions with your therapist, they will ask you questions and encourage you to pay attention to your reactions to difficult situations. Then, you'll collaborate to come up with strategies to handle these situations in a different manner.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's specifically tailored to a particular issue like SAD. One of the most promising treatments for SAD is known as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. CBT was created by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is based on Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behaviour therapy. It focuses on changing destructive patterns Psychological Signs Of Depression "emotional reasoning" that lead to depression.

Light therapy

As the seasons change, seasons, many people feel sluggish and tired, and down in the dumps. For some, these symptoms are more severe than a typical condition known as the "winter blues" and can cause depression, which is known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. If you suffer from this condition just a few lifestyle changes and the assistance of psychotherapy or medication could help ease your symptoms and return your mood to normal.

Bright light therapy, or phototherapy, has been proven to help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety of SAD as well as other conditions that affect your mood. Early morning use of a light with a full spectrum or box can reduce symptoms. Light therapy works by increasing your production signs of depression in teens serotonin, an organic chemical that improves your mood and helps you stay alert. It can also prevent a drop in your circadian clock, which is the body's inner clock that controls sleep cycles.

The best results for SAD can be achieved by using a special device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, roughly the same brightness as being outside on clear days in July. Your doctor will suggest that you stand or sit in front of the device each day for at least 30 minutes beginning in the early hours of the morning, seven days a week.

You might experience headaches or eye strain when using the light, but these effects typically disappear when you alter the intensity of the light and distance between you and the light source. Make sure you use a light box that has a filter that blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation. These rays can cause damage to your skin and eyes. You can buy a lightbox from your healthcare provider or find one online. Be sure to ensure that it's medically approved to treat SAD.

It is essential to inform your healthcare provider that 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 reduced by utilizing these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.