The Myths And Facts Behind Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Like other types of depression, people suffering from SAD may experience sadness or feeling of sadness in their everyday activities. They may lose interest in families and friends, fall asleep more or have trouble waking up, and they crave carbs that provide quick energy.

The brain's mood-regulating pathways could 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 affect 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 even severe. It can trigger changes in a person's appetite, energy levels and concentration. Some people with SAD can be more angry and irritable frequently. They may also experience difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Certain sufferers of SAD experience difficulty sleeping, which can cause them to lack energy throughout the day. The changing seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter days in fall and winter may alter a person's biological rhythms. Serotonin levels can drop and increase Melatonin. This could cause sleepiness or depression.

People with SAD frequently feel sad or depressed at a certain time of the year. They usually have these symptoms during autumn or winter and are more comfortable in spring. They can also experience episodes of elation, or feeling high in the summertime. SAD patients may suffer more depressive episodes. SAD may be confused with other mood disorders. It's crucial to seek a medical diagnosis.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to confront and change thoughts that are not helpful. CBT for SAD concentrates on replacing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It helps people find enjoyable activities to offset their lack of interest in winter or summer.

It's not clear what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements don't have the same level signs of moderate depression regulation as medications. They may interact with certain prescription drugs and cause serious health issues. Check with your physician prior to taking any dietary or herbal supplement.

Medication

The symptoms of seasonal depression are more serious than the occasional "winter blues." If you suffer from these changes in mood each year around the same time, your GP can help you identify and treat your symptoms. Treatment options include psychotherapy, light therapy and medication.

Many people with winter-pattern SAD experience depression-like episodes that come and go every year during the winter and fall. These episodes can be caused by a lack energy, a greater appetite, a preference for starchy foods along with sleep disruption and weight growth. These symptoms of severe depressive episode (sneak a peek here) can lead you to feel hopeless or depressed, and may even lead to suicide in extreme cases.

Certain people suffering from SAD may benefit from taking bupropion, a dopamine inhibitor. This medication helps balance the levels of dopamine and serotonin and reduces the tendency to feel lethargic and angry. This is a relatively new kind of antidepressant that has been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.

Your doctor will prescribe the best medication for you, according to your symptoms and the severity. They might suggest that you begin antidepressants during the fall before the symptoms of seasonal depression typically begin every year and continue to take them until spring. They might recommend using a lamp or light box to simulate sunlight, which can trigger the release serotonin.

It is important to remember that even though many people suffering from SAD suffer from a lack of vitamin D but there isn't any evidence of this being the cause of their illness. However, making sure your diet is a source signs of depression recurrence healthy foods and spend enough time outdoors in the sun can help.

SAD is a challenging condition to manage, and symptoms can last an extended time. It is crucial to understand that there are a variety of treatments for this condition. With the help of your GP you can get rid of symptoms and resume 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

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that manifests in winter and fall and gets better during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount warning signs of mental health issues sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that alter sleep, eating habits mood and behavior. Seasonal depression can be treated with antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy, and light therapy.

Researchers don't know the cause of SAD. They believe that less sunlight causes chemical changes in the brain which lead to depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to have other mental health conditions such as major depression and bipolar disorder. They could also be susceptible due to the family history of mental health problems, such as depression or schizophrenia.

Serotonin, a chemical in the brain that regulates mood, is usually lower in those with SAD winter-pattern. Serotonin levels are low and can affect sleep and the ability to think clearly and lead to sadness. People with summer-pattern SAD may have lower levels of melatonin which can affect sleep patterns and increase depression symptoms.

SAD symptoms include sadness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and a loss of interest in the things you usually like. It is possible to cut off contact with your friends and family during the winter months, or lose weight to deal with negative emotions. You may also start to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.

Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers overcome depression through the change of unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. In the psychotherapy sessions, your therapist will ask questions and help you to pay attention to your reactions to difficult situations. Together, you'll work to discover new ways to handle these situations.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's customized for a specific problem, for instance, SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising therapies available for SAD. Developed by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT is built on Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It is focused on transforming destructive patterns of "emotional reasoning" which can cause depression.

Light therapy

With the change of seasons many people feel slow, tired and depressed. These feelings can be more serious than "winter's blues" and lead to depression, also referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you are suffering from this disorder it is possible to make a few minor lifestyle changes, as well as the help of medication or psychotherapy can alleviate your symptoms and bring your mood back to normal.

Research has demonstrated that bright light therapy, also referred to as phototherapy, can alleviate symptoms of SAD and other conditions that affect your mood. The daily use of a light box or specialized full-spectrum light in the early signs of mental health issues morning hours can help alleviate symptoms. Light therapy increases your production of serotonin, natural chemical that increases your mood and makes you more alert. It also helps prevent a dip in your circadian rhythm. This is the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles and other important functions.

The best results for SAD can be achieved by using a special device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, around the same brightness as outside on clear days in July. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you sit or stand in front of the device for 30 minutes every day, beginning in the morning.

You may experience some headaches or eye strain while using the light source, however these effects will usually disappear when you alter the intensity of the light as well as the distance between you and the light source. Make sure you use a light box that has filters that block harmful ultraviolet radiation. These rays can cause damage to your eyes and skin. You can buy a lightbox through your healthcare provider or find one online. Just make sure that it is medically approved to treat SAD.

Inform your healthcare provider if you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental illness, you have. Bright light therapy, also known as antidepressants can cause manic episodes in some people. The risk can be minimized by using these treatments with the guidance of a medical professional.