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Seasonal Depression Symptoms

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

The lack of sunlight in autumn and winter can impact brain pathways that regulate mood. Some sufferers have mild symptoms while others suffer from symptoms that are so severe as to cause problems in relationships and at work.

Treatment

There are many options for treatment. Psychotherapy, light therapy and medication can assist those suffering from SAD. They can also make simple changes that can help relieve their symptoms and improve their mood.

SAD can be mild, moderate or severe. It can affect someone's concentration, energy level and appetite. Some people with SAD may experience irritability or angry more easily. They may also have trouble taking decisions or concentrating. Certain sufferers of SAD suffer from sleep problems, which could cause them to lose energy during the daytime. The changing seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours in the fall and winter can affect a person's biological rhythms. It can decrease serotonin levels, and increase Melatonin levels. This can cause insomnia or cause depression.

People suffering from SAD typically feel sad or depressed at a certain time of the year. These symptoms usually occur in the fall or winter and they are more comfortable in spring. In summer, they can also experience periods of feeling elevated or euphoric. SAD sufferers may have more depression-related episodes. SAD is often confused with other mood disorders. It is crucial to obtain a medical diagnosis.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to challenge and alter negative thinking. CBT for SAD focuses on changing negative thoughts associated with the season to more positive ones. It also assists people in finding enjoyable activities to counteract the loss of interest they typically have in the winter or summer.

It's not known how effective herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements aren't regulated in the same way as medicines are. They can interact with certain prescription drugs and cause serious problems. Talk to your healthcare professional prior to taking any dietary or herbal supplements.

Medication

The symptoms of seasonal depressive disorder are more severe than a few "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 light therapy, psychotherapy, and medications.

Many people with winter-pattern SAD experience depression-like episodes that come and go every year during the fall and winter. These episodes can be caused by a lack energy, increased appetite and an appetite for starchy foods as well as sleep disturbance and weight gain. These symptoms can cause you to feel depressed, despair and even suicidal in severe cases.

In addition to antidepressants some people with SAD benefit by taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication can help balance the levels signs of depression in adults dopamine and serotonin and reduces the tendency to feel lethargic and angry. This is a relatively recent type of antidepressant, which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.

Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you based on your specific symptoms and severity. They might suggest starting antidepressants in the fall before your seasonal symptoms typically begin every year and continue to take them until spring. Depending on your particular symptoms, they may also recommend that you utilize a light box or lamp to mimic sunlight and stimulate the release of serotonin.

It's important to note that although many people with SAD are suffering from a lack of vitamin D but there isn't any evidence of this being the cause of their illness. However, ensuring that your diet is a source of healthy foods and that you spend enough time outdoors to expose yourself to sunlight can help.

SAD is a challenging condition to deal with and the symptoms can last for for a long time. It is essential to understand that there are many solutions 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 is seen in the winter and fall and gets better during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes to the exposure to sunlight and biological clocks that can disrupt sleep, eating and mood. Light therapy, antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can help improve symptoms of seasonal postpartum depression symptoms.

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. People suffering from SAD are more likely to have other mental health issues such as major depression and bipolar disorder. They could also be at risk because of family history, for example, someone in the family with depression or schizophrenia.

People with winter-pattern SAD typically have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin, which regulates mood. Insufficient levels of this chemical can cause problems with sleeping, thinking clearly and being sad. People who suffer from summer-pattern SAD may have lower levels of melatonin which can alter sleeping patterns and trigger depression-related symptoms.

SAD symptoms include low energy, sadness problems with concentration, sadness, and a lack of enthusiasm for the activities you normally enjoy. In certain instances, you might withdraw from friends and family during the dark, snowy months or lose weight as a way to deal with your negative emotions. You might also start to feel suicidal or suicidal, which is a Major Depressive Symptoms medical emergency that requires immediate care.

Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers recover from depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. During sessions, your therapist may ask you questions and encourage you pay attention to your reactions to stressful situations. Then, you will discuss strategies to handle these situations in a different way.

Psychotherapy is most successful when it's specifically tailored to a particular issue such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising therapies available for SAD. CBT was invented by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is based on Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on transforming negative patterns of emotional reasoning" that lead to depression.

Light therapy

Many people feel tired, slow and depressed as the seasons change. These feelings can 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 it is possible to make a few minor lifestyle changes and the help of medication or psychotherapy can alleviate your symptoms and bring your mood to normal.

Research has proven that bright light therapy, also referred to as phototherapy, can alleviate symptoms of SAD and other conditions affecting your mood. The daily use signs of anxiety and depression a light box or specialized full-spectrum light in the early morning can help reduce your symptoms. Light therapy boosts serotonin production, which is a natural chemical which boosts your mood. It can also help prevent the deterioration of your circadian rhythm, the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles and other important functions.

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

If you suffer from eye strain or headaches or headaches, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and you. It is important to use a light box that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays which can cause damage to your eyes and the skin. You can purchase a lightbox through your healthcare provider or find one online. Be sure to ensure that it is medically approved to treat SAD.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have bipolar disorder, or any other mental condition you are suffering from. Bright light therapy, also known as antidepressants, can cause manic episodes in some people. The risk can be minimized through these treatments under the guidance of a doctor.