Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Like other types of depression, those with SAD experience sadness or a lack of enthusiasm for daily activities. They may become less interested in their families and friends, fall asleep more often or have difficulty getting up, and they crave carbs that provide quick energy.

The brain's pathways for regulating mood can be affected by the lack of sunlight during autumn and winter. Some sufferers experience 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 medication can help those suffering from SAD. Simple changes can help to relieve symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be severe or mild signs of depression. It can lead to changes in an individual's energy levels, appetite and concentration. Some people suffering from SAD might feel angry and frustrated more often. They may also have trouble concentrating or making decisions. Some people with SAD experience difficulty sleeping and this could cause them to lose energy during the daytime. The symptoms recognizing common signs of depression SAD can be caused by the change in seasons. The shorter days in winter and fall seasons can affect a person’s biological rhythms. This can reduce serotonin levels and increase melatonin. This can increase sleepiness or cause depression.

People suffering from SAD typically complain of feeling sad or depressed at certain times of the year. These symptoms usually occur in the fall or winter and then they feel better in the spring. They may also experience a feeling of elation or feeling awestruck in the summertime. People with SAD may experience more depression episodes than other people. SAD is often confused with other mood disorders. It is essential to get a diagnosis from a healthcare provider.

CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is an effective treatment option for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches individuals to challenge and alter unhelpful thoughts. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It also helps people find enjoyable activities to combat the lack of interest they usually experience in the summer or winter.

It's not known what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements aren't regulated the same way that drugs are. They can interact with prescription drugs and cause serious problems. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any dietary or herbal supplements.

Medication

The symptoms of seasonal depression disorder are more serious than a few "winter blues." If you are suffering from these changes in mood each year around the same time your GP can help diagnose and manage your symptoms. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications.

The winter-pattern SAD is defined by depressive episodes that happen each year during the fall and winter. These episodes are often accompanied by a lack of energy, an increase in appetite and an increased desire for starchy food, sleep disruption and weight increase. These symptoms can lead to feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal ideas in the most extreme cases.

Some people with SAD may benefit from taking bupropion, 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 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 physician will prescribe the most effective medication for you based on your specific symptoms and the severity of your illness. They may suggest that you start antidepressants in the fall, before your seasonal symptoms typically begin each year and continue to take them until spring. They may recommend using an artificial light source or a light box to simulate sunlight, which can encourage the release serotonin.

It's important to note that although many people with SAD feel a lack of vitamin D however, there is no evidence that this is the cause of their illness. However, making sure your diet is rich in healthy foods and spend sufficient time outside to get exposed to sunlight can help.

SAD can be very challenging, and the symptoms can appear to persist for a long time. It is essential to understand that there are a variety of treatments for this condition. With the assistance of your GP you can conquer symptoms and get back to regular 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 psychological indicators of depression depression that can be seen in winter and fall seasons and increases during spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that disrupt sleep, eating mood, and behavior. Light therapy, antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can ease symptoms of seasonal depression.

Researchers don't know what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers a chemical change in the brain that can lead to depression. SAD patients are more likely than others to be suffering from mental disorders, like bipolar disorder or major depression. They could be also at risk due to an ancestral history of mental health issues like schizophrenia or depression.

People with winter-pattern SAD often have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin which regulates mood. The low levels of this chemical may result in problems sleeping and focusing, as well as being sad. Melatonin levels could be lower in people with SAD summer-pattern. This can affect sleep patterns and trigger depression-like feelings.

Symptoms of SAD include depression, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, as well as loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy. In some cases you may be unable to connect with family and friends during the cold, dark months or shed weight as a way to deal with your emotions that are negative. You might also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical problem that requires immediate attention.

Therapy can help people who suffer from SAD overcome their depression by changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. In sessions with your therapist, they will ask questions and encourage you to be attentive to how you respond to difficult situations. Together, you'll work to discover new ways to deal with these situations.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's customized to a specific issue, such as SAD. One of the most promising treatments for SAD is known as cognitive behavioral indicators of depression therapy or CBT. CBT was invented by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is based on Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behaviour therapy. It focuses on transforming harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" that lead to depression.

Light therapy

Many people feel tired, sluggish and depressed when the seasons change. These feelings are 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 ease symptoms and help restore your normal mood.

Bright light therapy, or phototherapy, has been found to help alleviate symptoms of SAD, as well as other conditions that affect your mood. Utilizing a light box or specialized full-spectrum light during the early symptoms of depression morning can help alleviate your symptoms. Light therapy increases your serotonin levels, a natural chemical that boosts your mood. It can also help prevent the deterioration of your circadian rhythm. This is the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles, and other important functions.

The best results for SAD are achieved through a special device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, roughly the same amount of light as outside on a clear day in July. Your healthcare provider will recommend you sit or stand in the front of the device every day for 30 minutes or more, starting in the early signs of depression morning hours, seven days a week.

If you are suffering from eye strain or headaches and headaches, you can alter the intensity and distance between the light source and you. Use a light source with an anti-radiation filter that blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation. These radiations can cause damage to your eyes and skin. You can purchase the lightbox from your doctor, or you can find one on the internet. Just make sure that it's medically approved to treat SAD.

Inform your healthcare provider if you have bipolar disorder, or any other mental disorder you suffer from. Bright light therapy, also known as antidepressants can cause manic episodes in certain people. These risks can be mitigated by utilizing these treatments under the guidance of a doctor.