Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Like other types of depression, those with SAD may experience sadness or lack of enjoyment in everyday activities. They may lose interest in friends and family, sleep more, or have trouble getting up, and they crave carbs that provide quick energy.

Less sunlight in fall and winter can alter brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some people may experience mild symptoms, while others have symptoms serious enough to disrupt relationships and work.

Treatment

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

SAD can be severe or mild. It can affect a person's concentration and energy level as well as appetite. Some people who have SAD might feel angry or angry more easily. They may also have trouble making decisions and concentrating. Some sufferers of SAD have trouble sleeping and can cause them to lack energy throughout the day. The change in seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter days in fall and winter may alter the biological rhythms of a person. It can decrease serotonin levels, and increase Melatonin levels. This may cause sleepiness and cause depression.

People with SAD report feeling depressed or sad at a certain time of the year. These symptoms typically occur in the fall or winter, and they feel better in the spring. They may also experience a feeling of elation or feeling high in the summertime. SAD sufferers might experience more episodes of depression. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is important to obtain an assessment from a medical professional.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Symptoms of Depression therapy) is a successful treatment option for SAD. CBT is a type signs of depression in elderly psychotherapy that teaches people to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts. CBT for SAD concentrates on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It helps people find enjoyable activities to combat their lack of interest during the summer or winter.

It's unclear what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many dietary and herbal supplements aren't regulated the similar way drugs are. They can interact with certain prescription drugs and cause serious health issues. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any herbal or dietary supplements.

Medication

The symptoms of seasonal depression are more serious than the occasional "winter blues." If you experience these mood swings every year, at the same time your GP can help you identify and manage your symptoms. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications.

Many people who suffer from winter-pattern SAD have depression-like episodes that come and go each year in the winter and fall. These episodes can be associated with a lack of energy, an increase in appetite and an increased desire for starchy food, sleep disruption and weight gain. These symptoms can lead to feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicidal thoughts in most severe instances.

In addition to antidepressants, some people with SAD benefit by taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication balances your serotonin levels and dopamine levels to lessen the likelihood of becoming anxious and lethargic. This is a relatively brand new type of antidepressant which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the right medication for you depending on your symptoms and severity. 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 might also suggest that you use an artificial light source or a light box to simulate sunlight, which can encourage serotonin release.

It is important to know that, even though many people with SAD experience a deficiency in vitamin D, there's no evidence to support this as the cause of the condition. However, making sure your diet is rich in healthy foods and that you spend sufficient time outside to expose yourself to sunlight can help.

SAD can be a very difficult condition, and the symptoms can appear to last for a long time. It is essential to understand that there are many treatments available for this condition, and with the assistance of your GP you can conquer 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 form of depression that is common in fall and winter and increases during spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms which can disrupt 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. However, they believe that less sunlight triggers a change in the chemical in the brain that leads to depression. SAD sufferers are more likely than other people to be suffering from mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or major depression. They may also be at risk due to a family history identifying signs of depression mental health issues such as depression or schizophrenia.

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 and the ability to concentrate and cause sadness. People who suffer from summer-pattern SAD may have lower levels of melatonin which can impact sleeping patterns and trigger feelings signs of depression in men depression.

SAD symptoms include sadness, low-energy, difficulty concentrating, and a decrease in interest in the activities you usually enjoy. You may cut off contact with your family and friends during dark, cold 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 medical attention.

Therapy can help people suffering from SAD overcome their depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. In psychotherapy sessions, your therapist will ask questions and help you to be aware of how you respond to difficult situations. Then, you'll collaborate to come up with strategies to handle these situations in a different manner.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's tailored for a specific problem, such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments for SAD. CBT was invented by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is an adaptation of Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on transforming destructive patterns of "emotional reasoning" that cause depression.

Light therapy

With the changing of the seasons many people feel slow and tired, and down in the dumps. These feelings could be more serious than "winter's blues" and can lead to depression, 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 proven to help alleviate symptoms of SAD, as well as other conditions that can affect your mood. A daily use of light boxes or specialized full-spectrum light during the early depression symptoms morning hours can alleviate symptoms of bipolar depression. Light therapy increases your serotonin production, which is a natural chemical which boosts your mood. It can also stop a decrease in your circadian clock, the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles.

The best results are achieved with a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is roughly the same amount of brightness you experience outside on a sunny day in July. Your doctor may recommend that you stand or sit in front of the device for 30 minutes each day, starting in the morning.

If you experience headaches or eye strain or headaches, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and your. It is essential to utilize a light box that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage your eyes and the skin. You can purchase the lightbox from your healthcare provider or you can find one on the internet. Just make sure that it's medically approved to treat SAD.

It is important to inform your healthcare provider if you have bipolar disorder or any other mental health condition, because in some people, bright light therapy or antidepressants could trigger a manic attack. These risks can be reduced by utilizing these treatments under the guidance of a doctor.