The Myths And Facts Behind Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Seasonal Depression Symptoms

SAD is characterized by sadness or a decline in the enjoyment of everyday activities. They may lose interest with friends and family members and sleep less, or have trouble waking up. They also crave carbohydrates, which provide the body instant energy.

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

Treatment

There are a variety of options for treatment. Psychotherapy, light therapy, and medication can help sufferers with SAD. Simple changes can also aid in relieving symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be mild, moderate or even severe. It can affect people's concentration and energy level as well as appetite. Some people with SAD can feel angry and frustrated more often. They may also have difficulty making decisions and concentrating. Some sufferers of SAD have trouble sleeping, which may cause them to be deficient in energy during the daytime. The changing seasons can cause symptoms of SAD. The shorter hours of daylight in the winter and fall months can affect a person's bio rhythms. This can reduce serotonin levels and increase Melatonin levels. This can cause sleepiness or depression.

People suffering from SAD typically complain of feeling sad or depressed at a certain time of the year. These symptoms typically occur in the fall or winter and they are more comfortable in spring. They can also experience episodes of elation or feeling awestruck in the summertime. SAD patients may experience more episodes of depression. SAD is often confused with other mood disorders. It's crucial to seek medical advice.

CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a successful treatment option for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to challenge and alter thoughts that are not helpful. CBT for SAD focuses primarily on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It also assists people in finding enjoyable activities to combat the lack of interest that they usually experience in the winter or summer.

It's not clear how effective herbal supplements or remedies are for SAD. Many herbs and dietary supplements aren't regulated the same way that medications are. They may interact with certain prescription drugs and cause serious health issues. Consult your doctor before taking any dietary or herbal supplements.

Medication

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

Winter-pattern SAD is characterized by depressive episodes that take place each year during the winter and fall seasons.  signs and symptoms of postnatal depression  are often associated with a lack of energy and appetite and a craving for starchy food, sleep disruption, and weight increase. These symptoms can lead to feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicidal thoughts in most severe cases.

Some people with SAD might benefit from taking a bupropion, which is a dopamine-inhibitor. This medication helps to regulate the levels of dopamine and serotonin, reducing the tendency to feel lethargic and anxious. This is a relatively brand new type of antidepressant that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use to treat SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the right medication for you according to your symptoms and severity. They'll likely suggest that you begin antidepressants prior to when the symptoms of seasonal depression usually begin each year, and continue taking them until spring. Based on the specific symptoms you experience, they may also recommend that you use a lightbox or lamp to simulate sunlight and stimulate the release of serotonin.

It is important to know that, even though many people with SAD suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D, there's no evidence to suggest this as a cause for the disease. However, ensuring that your diet is full of healthy foods and spend enough time outdoors to expose yourself to sunlight can help.

SAD can be a very difficult condition and the symptoms can seem to last for a long period of time. It is essential to recognize that there are many treatments available for this condition, and with the help of your GP, you can overcome your symptoms and return to 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 is common in winter and fall seasons, and improves during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the exposure to sunlight and biological clocks that can disrupt sleep, eating and mood. Light therapy, antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can ease symptoms of seasonal depression.

Researchers aren't certain what causes SAD. They believe that a lack of sunlight causes brain chemicals to change that can lead to depression. People with SAD are more likely to have other mental health issues, including major depression and bipolar disorder. They could also be susceptible due to a family history of mental health problems such as schizophrenia or depression.

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

Symptoms of SAD include depression, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and losing interest in the activities you normally enjoy. It is possible to be unable to connect with your family and friends during dark, cold months or lose weight to cope with negative emotions. You may also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical problem that requires immediate attention.

Talk therapy can help SAD sufferers recover from depression through the modification of unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. In psychotherapy sessions, your therapist will ask questions and encourage you to be aware of how you react in difficult situations. Together, you'll work to find new ways to deal with these situations.

Psychotherapy is most successful when it is targeted to a specific problem like 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 is based on Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy and focuses on reversing the harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" that can lead to depression.

Light therapy

Many people feel tired, sluggish and depressed as the seasons change. These symptoms could be more serious than "winter's blues" and may lead to depression, also referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you are suffering from this condition, simple lifestyle changes can ease symptoms and help restore your normal mood.

Research has proven that bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, can alleviate 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 your production of serotonin, a natural chemical that boosts your mood and boosts your alertness. It can also prevent the decline in your circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock of your body that regulates sleep cycles, and other important functions.

The best results can be obtained with a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is the same amount of brightness you experience outside on a sunny day in July. Your doctor will suggest that you stand or sit in the front of the device every day for a minimum of 30 minutes beginning in the early morning, seven days a week.

You might experience headaches or eye strain when using the light source, however these effects usually go away by adjusting the intensity of the light and distance between you and the light source. It is important to make use of a light source that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that could damage your eyes and the skin. You can buy a lightbox from your healthcare provider or find one on the Internet However, be sure that it's approved by a medical professional to treat SAD.

You should tell your healthcare professional that you suffer from bipolar disorder or another mental health condition, because in some individuals, bright light therapy or antidepressants can cause a manic episode. The risk can be reduced through these treatments under the supervision of a psychiatrist.