Seasonal depression symptoms in seniors; Visit Homepage, Symptoms

SAD is characterised by sadness or a deficiency in enjoyment of everyday activities. They may lose interest with family and friends and may sleep more or have difficulty getting up. They also crave carbohydrates, which gives the body an instant boost of energy.

The lack signs of severe depression sunlight in autumn and winter can impact brain pathways that regulate mood. Some people may experience mild symptoms, whereas others experience symptoms that are serious enough to interfere with relationships and work.

Treatment

There are many treatment options available. Psychotherapy, light therapy, and medication can assist people with SAD. They also can make simple adjustments that can ease symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be mild, moderate or even severe. It can affect people's concentration, energy level and appetite. Some people who have SAD may feel irritable or angry more easily. They may also have difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Certain people with SAD have trouble sleeping well and this can cause a lack of energy throughout the daytime. Symptoms of SAD can be caused by the changing seasons. The shorter days in winter and fall seasons can affect a person’s biological rhythms. Serotonin levels can drop and increase the hormone melatonin. This can lead to depression or increase sleepiness.

People suffering from SAD typically report feeling down or sad at certain times of the year. They typically experience these symptoms during winter or autumn months and are more comfortable in spring. They may also experience moments of elation or feeling high in the summertime. SAD sufferers may experience more episodes of depression. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is essential to get an medical diagnosis.

CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a highly effective treatment option for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches people to challenge and change negative thoughts. CBT for SAD concentrates on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It also helps people find enjoyable activities to counteract the lack of interest they usually experience in the summer or winter.

It's unclear what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements don't have the same level of regulation as medications. They can cause serious issues when they interact with prescription medications. Consult your healthcare provider prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplement.

Medication

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

Many people with winter-pattern SAD experience depression-like episodes that come and go each year in the fall and winter. These episodes are often associated with a lack of energy and a greater appetite, a preference for starchy foods and sleep disturbances, as well as weight gain. These symptoms can trigger feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicidal thoughts in the most extreme cases.

Some people with SAD may benefit from taking a bupropion, a dopamine-inhibitor. This medication balances your serotonin levels and dopamine levels to lessen the tendency to be unmotivated 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 the treatment of SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the right medication for you depending on your symptoms and degree of severity. They might suggest starting antidepressants in the fall before your symptoms that are seasonal start each year, and continue to take them until spring. They might also suggest that you use the light box or lamp to simulate sunlight, which will encourage serotonin release.

It is important to remember that although many people with SAD feel a lack of vitamin D, there is no proof that this is the cause of their condition. However, ensuring that your diet is a source of healthy foods and spend enough time outdoors in the sun can help.

SAD can be very challenging and the symptoms may appear to last for a long period of time. But it is crucial to recognize that there are a variety of treatments available for this condition, and with the help of your GP and a variety of treatments, you can beat 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 depression that is common in winter and fall seasons and increases during spring and the summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that affect sleep, eating mood, and behavior. Seasonal depression can be treated with antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy and light therapy.

Researchers aren't quite sure what causes SAD. However, they believe that less sunlight triggers a chemical shift in the brain that can lead to depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to suffer from other mental health issues which include major depression and bipolar disorder. They also may be at risk because of family history, like someone in the family with depression or schizophrenia.

Serotonin, a chemical in the brain that regulates mood, is typically lower in people with SAD winter-pattern. Low levels of this chemical may cause problems with sleeping and thinking clearly, as well as feeling sad. People who suffer from summer-pattern SAD may have lower levels of melatonin, which can alter sleeping patterns and trigger depression-related symptoms.

SAD symptoms include sadness, low energy problems with concentration, sadness, and a lack of interest in the things you usually enjoy. In some instances you may decide to be unable to connect with family and friends during the wintery, cold months or shed weight to manage your negative emotions. You might also start to feel suicidal or suicidal, which is a major medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Talk therapy can help SAD sufferers overcome depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. In sessions of psychotherapy, your therapist will ask questions and encourage you to be aware of your reactions to difficult situations. Then, you'll work together to develop ways to deal with these situations differently.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's tailored to a specific issue, such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments available for SAD. CBT was developed by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is based on Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on transforming negative patterns of emotional reasoning" that lead to depression.

Light therapy

With the changing of the seasons, many people feel sluggish, tired and down. These symptoms are more serious than the "winter's blues" and can lead to depression, also referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you're suffering from this disorder, simple lifestyle changes can ease symptoms and restore your normal mood.

Bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, has been proven to help alleviate symptoms of SAD as well as other conditions that can affect your mood. Utilizing light boxes or specialized full-spectrum light in the early morning can help reduce your symptoms. Light therapy can boost serotonin production, a natural chemical which boosts your mood. It can also help prevent the deterioration psychological signs of being depressed your circadian rhythm. This is the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles, as well as other vital functions.

The best results for SAD can be achieved by using a specific device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, around the same brightness as being outside on clear days in July. Your healthcare provider will recommend that you stand or sit in the front warning signs of mental health issues the device every day for at least 30 minutes beginning in the early morning hours, all week.

If you experience eye strain or headaches and headaches, you can alter 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 rays can cause damage to your skin and eyes. You can purchase a light box through your healthcare provider or find one on the Internet, but make sure it's medically approved for the treatment of SAD.

Inform your healthcare provider if bipolar disorder, or any other mental illness, you have. Bright light therapy, or antidepressants, can trigger manic episodes in some people. The risk can be reduced by using these treatments under the supervision of a psychiatrist.