Seasonal Depression Symptoms

SAD is characterized by sadness or a decline in enjoyment of daily activities. They may become less interested in their family and friends, sleep more or have trouble waking up, and crave carbohydrates that provide quick energy.

Less sunlight in fall and winter can impact brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some people have mild symptoms, but others experience symptoms of teenage depression (visit our website) that are serious enough to affect relationships and work.

Treatment

There are many options for treatment. People suffering from SAD can benefit from light therapy, psychotherapy and medication. Simple changes can also aid in relieving symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be either severe or mild. It can affect a person's concentration, energy level and appetite. People with SAD may experience irritability or angry more frequently. They may also have difficulty in concentrating or making decisions. Some people suffering from SAD have trouble sleeping well which can result in fatigue throughout the day. The change in seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours during the winter and fall seasons can affect a person's biological rhythms. This can lower serotonin levels and increase Melatonin levels. This can lead to depression or increase sleepiness.

People with SAD frequently feel sad or depressed at a certain time of the year. They typically 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. SAD patients may experience more episodes of depression. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is important to obtain an assessment from a medical provider.

CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a successful treatment option for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts related to the season to more positive ones. It also assists people to find enjoyable activities to counteract the loss of interest they experience during the summer or winter months.

It's not clear what the effectiveness of herbal supplements or remedies are for SAD. Many dietary and herbal supplements aren't regulated the similar way drugs are. They can interact with certain prescription medications and cause serious issues. Consult your doctor before taking any herbal or dietary supplements.

Medication

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

Winter-pattern SAD is characterized by depressive episodes that take place throughout the year in the fall and winter. These episodes can be caused by fatigue, an increased appetite, a preference for starchy food, sleep disruption, and weight gain. These symptoms can lead to feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal ideas in the most extreme cases.

In addition to antidepressants, some people with SAD benefit from taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps to regulate your levels of serotonin and dopamine, reducing the feeling of being depressed and irritable. This is a relatively new type of antidepressant which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be used in treating SAD.

Your doctor will recommend the best medication option for you based on your particular symptoms and severity of illness. They will likely recommend that you start antidepressants before the symptoms of seasonality usually begin each year, and then continue taking them until spring. They may recommend using a lamp or light box to simulate sunlight, which can trigger serotonin release.

It's important to note that while many people with SAD suffer from an absence of vitamin D however, there is no evidence of this being the cause of their illness. You can improve your health by consuming nutritious food and spending enough time outdoors in the sunlight.

SAD can be a very difficult condition and the symptoms can seem to last for a long time. But it is crucial to understand that there are many treatments available for this condition. with the assistance of your GP and a variety psychological indicators of depression treatments, you can beat the symptoms and resume a 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 fall and winter and increases during spring and summer. It is caused by changes to the exposure to sunlight and biological clocks, which can disrupt sleep, eating and mood. Antidepressants, light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can ease symptoms of seasonal depression.

Researchers aren't certain what causes SAD. They believe that a lack of sunlight triggers brain chemicals to change which can trigger depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to have other mental health issues, including major depression and bipolar disorder. They may also be susceptible due to the family history of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or depression.

Serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, is usually lower in people with SAD winter-pattern. The low levels of this chemical may cause problems with sleeping and focusing, as well as being sad. People who suffer from summer-related SAD might have lower levels of melatonin which can affect sleep patterns and cause depression symptoms.

SAD symptoms include sadness, low-energy problems with concentration, sadness, and a loss of enthusiasm for the activities you usually enjoy. In certain instances you may withdraw from friends and family during the cold, dark months or shed weight to cope with your emotional turmoil. You might also start to feel suicidal or suicidal, which is a major medical emergency that requires immediate care.

Talk therapy can help those suffering from SAD overcome depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. During sessions, your therapist will ask you questions and help you to be aware of your reactions to difficult situations. Together, you'll work to discover new ways to handle these situations.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it is tailored for a specific problem, like SAD. One of the most promising treatments for SAD is called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. 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 focuses on transforming destructive patterns of "emotional reasoning" that lead to depression.

Light therapy

Many people feel tired, sluggish and depressed as the seasons change. For some, these feelings are more severe than a typical condition known as the "winter blues" and can lead to depression called seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If you suffer from this disorder just a few lifestyle changes and the help of medication or psychotherapy can help ease your symptoms and return your mood back to normal.

Research has shown that bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, can improve symptoms of SAD and other conditions affecting your mood. The early symptoms of major depression morning use psychological signs of being depressed a full spectrum light or light box can help alleviate symptoms. Light therapy helps increase the production of serotonin an organic chemical that improves your mood and helps you stay alert. It also helps prevent the deterioration of your circadian rhythm, the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles and other important functions.

The most effective results for SAD are achieved through a specific device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, roughly the same brightness as outside on a clear day in July. Your doctor will suggest you sit or stand in front of the device each day for at least 30 minutes beginning in the early morning hours, every day of the week.

There may be some headaches or eye strain while using the light, but these effects typically disappear if you adjust the intensity of the light as well as the distance between you and the light source. Use a light source with a filter that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays. These UV rays can cause harm to your skin and eyes. You can buy a lightbox through your healthcare provider or you can locate one on the internet. Make sure it's medically endorsed to treat SAD.

It is important to inform your healthcare professional that you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental health condition, because in some individuals treatment with bright light therapy or antidepressants can cause a manic episode. These risks can be mitigated through these treatments under the supervision of a psychiatrist.