20 Seasonal Depression Symptoms Websites That Are Taking The Internet By Storm
Seasonal Depression Symptoms
Like other types of depression, those with SAD experience sadness or a lack of enjoyment in daily activities. They may lose interest in families and friends, fall asleep more or have trouble waking up, and they crave carbs that give the body quick energy.
Less sunlight in fall and winter can affect the brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some people experience mild symptoms, but others have symptoms serious enough to disrupt relationships and work.
Treatment
The good news is that treatment options are readily available. Light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication can help sufferers with SAD. They can also make simple changes that will help ease symptoms and improve mood.
SAD can be severe or mild. It can trigger changes in a person's energy levels, appetite, and concentration. Some people who have SAD may feel irritable or angry more easily. They may also have difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Some people suffering from SAD are unable to sleep well which can result in a lack of energy during the daytime. The change in seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight in the fall and winter may alter the biological rhythms of a person. It can decrease serotonin levels and boost melatonin. This can cause insomnia or cause depression.
People with SAD frequently complain of feeling sad or depressed at certain times of the year. These symptoms typically occur in winter or the fall and they are more comfortable in the spring. They may also experience a feeling of elation or feeling high in the summertime. SAD sufferers may have more depression-related episodes. SAD may be confused with other mood disorders. It's important to get a diagnosis from a healthcare doctor.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches individuals how to challenge and change unhelpful thinking. CBT for SAD focuses on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It assists people to find enjoyable activities to combat their lack of interest in the summer or winter months.
It's unclear how effective herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbs and dietary supplements aren't regulated the same way as medications are. They can cause serious issues when they interact with prescription medications. Talk to your doctor prior to taking any dietary or herbal supplement.
Medication
The symptoms of seasonal depressive disorder are more serious than a few "winter blues." If you suffer from these changes in mood each year around the same time your GP can assist in diagnosing and manage your symptoms. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medication.
Many people with winter-pattern SAD suffer from depression-like episodes that come and go throughout the year in the fall and winter. These episodes are often accompanied by a lack energy, an increased appetite and a desire for starchy food as well as sleep disturbances and weight increase. These symptoms can cause feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal ideas in the most severe cases.
In addition to antidepressants, certain people suffering from SAD benefit from taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication can help balance your serotonin and dopamine levels which reduce the feeling of being depressed and angry. 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 prescribe the right medication for you based on your symptoms and severity. They may suggest that you start antidepressants in the fall, before your seasonal symptoms typically start each year, and continue to take them until spring. They might also suggest using the light box or lamp to simulate sunlight, which can encourage the release serotonin.
It's crucial to understand that, while many people suffering from SAD suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D, there is no evidence to support this as a cause for their disease. However, making sure your diet is a source of healthy foods and take time to expose yourself to sunlight can help.
SAD is a challenging condition to manage and the symptoms can last for a long while. However, it is important to know that there are a variety of treatments for this condition. with the assistance of your GP, you can overcome 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
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that appears in the winter and fall and improves in the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms which can affect sleep, eating mood, and behavior. Seasonal depression can be treated by taking antidepressants, cognitive behavior therapy and light therapy.
Researchers aren't sure what causes SAD. They believe that a lack of sunlight triggers brain chemical changes which lead to depression. SAD patients are more likely than others to suffer from other mental illnesses, such as major depression or bipolar disorder. They also may be at risk because of family history, like someone in the family with schizophrenia or depression.
People with winter-pattern SAD often have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin that regulates mood. Insufficient levels of this chemical can cause sleep problems, thinking clearly and feeling sad. People who suffer from summer-related SAD might have lower levels of melatonin which can impact sleep patterns and increase depression-related symptoms.
SAD symptoms include sadness, low-energy as well as difficulty concentrating and a loss of interest in the activities you usually like. It is possible to cut off contact with your friends and family during the dark, cold months or lose weight to cope with the negative emotions. You might also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical issue that requires immediate attention.
Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers overcome their depression by changing unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. During sessions, your therapist might ask you questions and help you to be aware of how you respond to difficult situations. Then, you will discuss strategies to handle these situations in a different manner.
Psychotherapy is most effective when it's 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 in the 1960s. It is an adaptation of Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on transforming negative patterns of emotional reasoning" that can lead to depression.
Light therapy
Many people feel tired, sluggish and depressed as the seasons change. These symptoms are more serious than the "winter's blues" and may lead to depression, also referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you are suffering from this disorder just a few lifestyle changes, as well as the help of psychotherapy or medication can help ease your symptoms and return your mood back to normal.
Bright light therapy, or phototherapy, has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of SAD, as well as other conditions that influence your mood. The early morning use of a full spectrum light or light box can reduce symptoms. symptoms of mania and depression Iampsychiatry increases the production of serotonin natural chemical that increases your mood and helps you stay alert. It also helps prevent a drop in your circadian clock, the internal clock of your body that regulates sleep cycles.
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 get outside on a bright day in July. Your doctor may suggest that you sit or stand in front of the device for 30 minutes per day, beginning in the morning.
There may be some eye strain or headaches while using the light source, however these effects usually go away by adjusting the intensity of the light and the distance between you and the light source. Use a light source with an anti-radiation filter that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays. These rays can cause damage to your eyes and skin. You can purchase a light box from your doctor or locate one on the Internet however, make sure that it's approved by a medical professional to treat SAD.
It is important to inform your doctor whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental health condition, because in some individuals bright light therapy or antidepressants could trigger a manic attack. These risks can be mitigated by using these treatments with the guidance of a doctor.