Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Like other types of depression, people with SAD experience sadness or a lack of enthusiasm for daily activities. They may lose interest with family members and friends and sleep less, or have difficulty getting up. They also crave carbohydrates, which gives the body an instant boost of energy.

The brain's pathways for regulating mood can be affected by the absence of sunlight in winter and fall. Some sufferers experience mild symptoms, while others suffer from symptoms that are so severe as to interfere in relationships and at work.

Treatment

There are many options for treatment. Psychotherapy, light therapy, and medications can aid those suffering from SAD. Simple changes can help relieve symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be severe or mild. It can affect people's concentration and energy levels as well as appetite. Some people with SAD may feel irritable or angry more easily. They might also have trouble taking decisions and concentrating. Some people with SAD suffer from sleep problems and this could cause them to lose energy throughout the daytime. The symptoms of SAD can be triggered by the change in seasons. The shorter daylight hours in the winter and fall months can affect a person's biological rhythms. It can decrease serotonin levels and boost Melatonin levels. This may cause sleepiness and cause depression.

People suffering from SAD typically feel sad or depressed at certain times of the year. They usually have these symptoms in winter or autumn and are more comfortable in spring. In summer, they can also experience periods signs of severe depression feeling happy or high. People suffering from SAD may experience more episodes of depression than other people. SAD is often confused with other mood disorders. It is crucial to obtain an medical diagnosis.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches people to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts. CBT for SAD focuses primarily on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It helps people find enjoyable activities to combat their loss signs of anxiety and depression interest in winter or summer.

It's not known how effective herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements do not have the same degree of regulation as medications. They can cause serious issues when they interact with prescription drugs. Check with your physician prior to taking any dietary or herbal supplement.

Medication

The symptoms of seasonal depression are much more serious than the occasional "winter blues." If you are suffering from these mood swings throughout the year at the same time you GP can assist in diagnosing and manage your symptoms. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medication.

Many people suffering from winter-pattern SAD suffer from depressive episodes that appear and go every year during the winter and fall. These episodes are often caused by a lack energy, an increase in appetite and an increased desire for starchy food as well as sleep disturbance and weight gain. These symptoms can lead you to feel helpless or depressed, and may even lead to suicide in severe cases.

In addition to antidepressants some people with SAD benefit from taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication balances your serotonin levels and dopamine levels, which can reduce the tendency to be irritable and lethargic. This is a relatively brand new type of antidepressant which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication for you depending on your symptoms and severity. They will likely recommend that you begin antidepressants prior to when the symptoms of seasonal depression usually begin every year, and keep taking them until spring. Based on the specific symptoms you experience they might also suggest that you use a lightbox or lamp to mimic sunlight and promote the release of serotonin.

It's important to know that while many people with SAD are suffering from an absence of vitamin D but there isn't any evidence that this is the cause of their condition. However, ensuring that your diet is rich in healthy foods and that you spend enough time outdoors in the sun can help.

SAD can be extremely challenging, and the symptoms of severe depression can seem to persist for a long time. It is essential to understand that there are numerous solutions for this condition. With the help of your GP you can overcome symptoms and return 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 form signs of depression relapse depression that can be seen in fall and winter, and improves during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that affect sleep, eating mood, and behavior. Antidepressants, light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can improve symptoms of seasonal depression.

Researchers don't know what causes SAD. But they think that less sunlight triggers a chemical shift in the brain, which leads to depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to have other mental health conditions, including major depression and bipolar disorder. They may be also at risk due to a family history of mental health issues like schizophrenia or depression.

Serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, is often lower in those with SAD winter-pattern. Serotonin levels that are low can affect sleep and the ability to concentrate and can cause sadness. Melatonin levels could be lower in those with SAD summer-pattern. This can alter sleeping patterns and lead to depression-like symptoms.

The symptoms of SAD are depression, fatigue and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy. In some cases you may be unable to connect with family and friends during the dark, snowy months or shed weight as a way to cope with your emotional turmoil. You might also start to feel suicidal and this is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Talk therapy can help SAD sufferers recover from depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. During sessions, your therapist might ask you questions and help you pay attention to how you respond to stressful situations. You will then work together to find new ways to handle these situations.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's specifically tailored to a particular issue like SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments available for SAD. It was created by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT was built on Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It is focused on transforming negative patterns of "emotional reasoning" which can cause depression.

Light therapy

With the changing of the seasons, many people feel sluggish, tired and down in the dumps. These feelings are more serious than the "winter's blues" and can lead to depression, which is also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you are suffering from this disorder just a few lifestyle changes, as well as the help of psychotherapy or medication can help ease your symptoms and return your mood to normal.

Research has demonstrated that bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, can help improve symptoms of SAD and other conditions affecting your mood. The early morning use of a full-spectrum light or light box can help alleviate symptoms. Light therapy increases your serotonin production, a natural chemical that boosts your mood. It can also help prevent a dip in your circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles, as well as other vital functions.

The most effective results for SAD are achieved through a specific device that emits 10,000 lux psychological signs of depression bright white light, roughly the same amount of light as outside on an uncloudy day in July. Your doctor may suggest that you stand or sit in front of the device for 30 minutes every day, starting in the morning.

If you suffer from headaches or eye strain or headaches, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and you. Make sure you use a light box that has an anti-radiation filter that blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation. These UV rays can cause harm to your skin and eyes. You can purchase a light box through 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 doctor if you have bipolar disorder or another mental health problem, as in some individuals, bright light therapy or antidepressants can trigger a manic attack. These risks can be mitigated through these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.