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Seasonal Depression Symptoms

SAD is characterized by sadness or a decline in the enjoyment of everyday activities. They may lose interest in friends and family, sleep more or have trouble waking up, and they crave carbs which give the body rapid energy.

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

Treatment

The good news is that treatment options are readily available. Psychotherapy, light therapy and medications can aid people with SAD. Simple changes can help to relieve symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be mild, moderate or severe. It can affect people's concentration, energy level and appetite. People with SAD may feel angry and frustrated more often. They might also have trouble concentrating and making decisions. Some sufferers of SAD suffer from sleep problems and this can cause them to lack energy during the day. The symptoms of SAD can be caused by the change in seasons. The shorter hours of daylight during fall and winter may affect a person’s biological rhythms. This can decrease serotonin and increase melatonin. This may cause sleepiness and cause depression.

People suffering from SAD typically complain of feeling sad or depressed at a specific time of year. These symptoms usually occur in the fall or winter and they are more comfortable in the spring. They may also experience moments of elation, or feeling high in the summer. People suffering from SAD might experience more depression episodes than other people. SAD is often confused with other mood disorders. It is crucial to obtain a medical diagnosis.

CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a highly effective treatment option for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to confront and change thoughts that are not helpful. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts related to the season with more helpful ones. It assists people to find fun activities to counteract their loss of interest in the summer or winter months.

It's not clear 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 interact with prescription drugs and cause serious health issues. Consult your healthcare provider prior to taking any dietary or herbal supplement.

Medication

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

Many people suffering from winter-pattern SAD have depression-like episodes that come and go each year in the winter and fall. These episodes are often caused by fatigue and appetite, a preference for starchy food as well as sleep disturbances and weight growth. These symptoms can lead to feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts in the most extreme cases.

In addition to antidepressants certain people suffering from SAD benefit from taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication can help balance the levels of dopamine and serotonin which reduce the tendency to feel lethargic and irritable. This is a relatively new antidepressant that has been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication for you according to your symptoms and the severity. They will probably recommend that you start antidepressants in the fall, before the symptoms of seasonal depression typically begin each year and continue taking them until spring. Depending on your particular symptoms they might also suggest that you utilize a light box or lamp to simulate sunlight and promote the release of serotonin.

It's crucial to understand that, even though many people with SAD suffer from a lack of vitamin D, there's no evidence to support this as a cause for the condition. However, ensuring that your diet is rich in healthy foods and that you spend sufficient time outside to expose yourself to sunlight can aid in reducing.

SAD is a difficult condition to manage, and symptoms can last an extended time. It is crucial to understand that there are numerous solutions for this condition. With the help of your GP you can conquer 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 type depression that can be seen in winter and autumn, and improves during the spring and the summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of 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. However, they believe that less sunlight triggers a chemical shift in the brain that leads 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 a relative who has schizophrenia or depression.

Serotonin, a chemical in the brain that regulates mood, is typically lower in those with SAD winter-pattern. Serotonin levels are low and can affect sleep, the ability to concentrate and lead to sadness. Melatonin levels might be lower in people with SAD summer-pattern. This can alter sleep patterns and cause feelings of depression.

SAD symptoms include low energy, sadness as well as difficulty concentrating and a loss of interest in the activities you usually enjoy. It is possible to withdraw from family and friends during the cold, dark winter months or lose weight to cope with the negative emotions. You may also begin to feel suicidal and this is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Talk  More about the author  can help those who suffer from SAD overcome their depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. During sessions, your therapist might ask you questions and encourage you to be aware of how you respond to stressful situations. Then, you will work together to find new ways to handle these situations.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's tailored for a specific problem, for instance, SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments for SAD. CBT was developed by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT was based on Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on changing harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" which can cause depression.

Light therapy

With the change of seasons, many people feel sluggish, tired and down in the dumps. These symptoms can be more serious than "winter's blues" and may lead to depression, which is also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you suffer from this condition, a few lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and help restore your normal mood.

Research has demonstrated that bright light therapy, also known 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 reduce symptoms. Light therapy works by increasing serotonin production, natural chemical that increases your mood and boosts your alertness. It can also prevent a decrease in your circadian clock, which is the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles.

The best results for SAD are obtained 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 professional will recommend you sit or stand in the front of the device every day for a minimum of 30 minutes beginning in the early hours of the morning, every day of the week.

If you are suffering from headaches or eye strain, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and you. It's important to utilize a light box that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage your eyes and skin. You can buy a lightbox through your doctor, or find one online. Be sure to ensure that it's medically endorsed to treat SAD.

You should tell your healthcare provider if you have bipolar disorder or any other mental health problem, as in some people bright light therapy or antidepressants can trigger a manic episode. These risks can be mitigated through these treatments under the supervision of a psychiatrist.