Seasonal Depression Symptoms
Like other types of depression, people with SAD may experience sadness or feeling of sadness in their everyday activities. They may lose interest with friends and family members, sleep more, or have difficulty waking up. They also crave carbohydrates, which provide the body immediate energy.
In the fall and winter can impact brain pathways that regulate mood. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others experience symptoms that are so severe as to interfere in relationships and at work.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options available. Psychotherapy, light therapy and medication can help people with SAD. Simple changes can aid in relieving symptoms and improve mood.
SAD can be mild, moderate or severe. It can trigger changes in an individual's appetite, energy levels and concentration. Some people suffering from SAD might feel angry and frustrated more easily. They may also experience difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Certain sufferers of SAD have trouble sleeping and could cause them to lose energy throughout the day. The changing seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours in the fall and winter can affect a person's bio rhythms. This can reduce serotonin levels and increase Melatonin levels. This can cause insomnia or cause depression.
People with SAD report feeling sad or down at a certain time of the year. These symptoms usually occur in winter or the fall, and they feel better in spring. They can also experience episodes of elation or feeling high in the summertime. People with SAD might experience more depression episodes than other people. SAD may be confused with other mood disorders. It is essential to get an medical diagnosis.
CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is an effective treatment option for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches people 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 helps people find enjoyable activities to combat their loss of interest in winter or summer.
It's not clear how effective herbal supplements or remedies are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements do not have the same level of control as prescription drugs. They can interact with certain prescription drugs and cause serious health issues. Talk to your doctor prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplement.
Medication
The symptoms of seasonal depression are more serious than the occasional "winter blues." Your GP can help diagnose and treat these symptoms when you experience them each year at the same time. Treatment options include psychotherapy, light therapy and medication.
Many people suffering from winter-pattern SAD have depressive episodes that appear and go each year in the fall and winter. These episodes are often associated with a lack of energy, an increase in appetite and a preference for starchy foods along with sleep disruption and weight growth. These symptoms can cause you to feel helpless, despair and even suicidal in extreme instances.
In addition to antidepressants, some people with SAD benefit from taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps balance your serotonin and dopamine levels which reduce the possibility of feeling depressed and anxious. This is a relatively new type of antidepressant, which is approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.
Your doctor will recommend the best medication option for you based on your particular symptoms and severity of illness. They may suggest that you start antidepressants in the fall before your seasonal symptoms typically begin every year and continue to take them until spring. They may also suggest that you use an artificial light source or a light box to simulate sunlight, which can trigger serotonin release.
It's crucial to understand that, even though many people with SAD suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D, there is no evidence to support this as the reason behind their disease. However, ensuring your diet is rich in healthy foods and take time to get exposed to sunlight can help.
SAD is a challenging condition to deal with, and symptoms can last a long while. It is important to know that there are a variety of treatments for this condition. With the assistance of your GP you can overcome 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 of depression that is common in winter and autumn, and improves during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in sunlight exposure and biological rhythms which can affect sleep, eating mood and behavior. The treatment for seasonal depression is with antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy and light therapy.
Researchers don't know what causes SAD. They believe that a lack of sunlight causes chemical changes in the brain that can lead to depression. SAD sufferers are more likely than others to be suffering from mental conditions, such as major depression or bipolar disorder. They could also be at risk due to a family history of mental health conditions like depression or schizophrenia.
Serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, is typically less in people who have SAD winter-pattern. The low levels of this chemical can result in problems sleeping, thinking clearly and being sad. People with summer-pattern SAD might have lower levels of melatonin which can impact sleeping patterns and trigger depression-related symptoms.
The symptoms of SAD are depression, fatigue and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a an absence of interest in the activities that you normally enjoy. In some instances you may decide to be unable to connect with family and friends during the dark, snowy months or shed weight to deal with your emotional turmoil. You might also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical issue that requires immediate attention.
Talk therapy can help people with SAD overcome depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. During sessions, your therapist might ask you questions and help you pay attention to how you respond to stressful situations. Then, postpartum depression symptoms will work together to discover new ways to handle these situations.
Psychotherapy is most effective when it is tailored for a specific problem, such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments for SAD. It was created by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT was an adaptation of Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on transforming harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" that lead to depression.
Light therapy
Many people feel tired, slow and depressed when 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're suffering from this condition, simple lifestyle changes can ease symptoms and restore your normal mood.
Bright light therapy, or phototherapy, has been proven to reduce symptoms of SAD, as well as other conditions that can affect your mood. The daily use of an e-lamp or full-spectrum light in the early morning hours can reduce your symptoms. Light therapy can boost serotonin levels, a natural chemical which boosts your mood. It can also stop a decrease in your circadian clock, which is the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles.
The best results can be obtained by using a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is roughly the same brightness you would see outside on a sunny day in July. Your healthcare professional will recommend that you stand or sit in front of the device each day for 30 minutes or more beginning in the early hours of the morning, every day of the week.
There may be some eye strain or headaches while using the light, however these effects usually go away by adjusting the intensity of the light and the distance between you and the light source. It is essential to make use of a light source that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays that could cause damage to your eyes and the skin. You can purchase a lightbox through your healthcare provider or you can locate one on the internet. Just make sure that it's medically approved to treat SAD.
It is important to inform your healthcare provider whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental health condition, because for some people bright light therapy or antidepressants can trigger a manic episode. These risks can be reduced by using these treatments with the guidance of a doctor.