Find Out What Seasonal Depression Symptoms The Celebs Are Using
Seasonal Depression Symptoms
Similar to other forms of depression, people with 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 getting up, and crave carbohydrates that provide quick energy.
The brain's pathways for regulating mood can be affected by the absence of sunlight during autumn and winter. Some people experience mild symptoms, whereas others have symptoms serious enough to disrupt relationships and work.
Treatment
There are many treatments available. People with SAD can benefit from light therapy, psychotherapy and medication. They can also make simple changes that will help ease their symptoms and improve their mood.
SAD can be mild, moderate or even severe. It can affect people's concentration, energy level and appetite. People with SAD may experience irritability or angry more frequently. They may also have trouble in concentrating or making decisions. Certain people suffering from SAD have trouble sleeping and this could cause them to lose energy during the daytime. Symptoms of SAD can be caused by the change in seasons. The shorter hours of daylight during winter and fall seasons can alter the biological rhythms of a person. This can reduce serotonin levels, and increase the level of melatonin. This can lead to insomnia or depression.
People with SAD frequently report feeling down or sad at a certain time of the year. clinical depression symptoms occur in the fall or winter and they are more comfortable in spring. In the summer, they might experience episodes where they feel elated or high. People suffering from SAD may have more depression episodes than other people. SAD may be confused with other mood disorders. It's important to get an evaluation from a health professional.
CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a successful treatment option for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches people how to confront and change unhelpful thinking. CBT for SAD concentrates on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It also helps people find enjoyable activities to counteract the loss of interest they experience during the summer or winter months.
It's unclear what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many dietary and herbal supplements aren't controlled in the same way that medicines are. They can interact with prescription medications and cause serious 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." Your GP can diagnose and treat these symptoms when you experience them each year at the same time. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medication.
Many people with winter-pattern SAD experience depression-like episodes that come and go throughout the year in the winter and fall. These episodes are often associated with a lack of energy and a greater appetite and a desire for food that is starchy, sleep disruption, and weight increase. These symptoms can cause feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts in most severe cases.
In addition to antidepressants, certain people suffering from SAD benefit by taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps to regulate the levels of dopamine and serotonin, reducing the tendency to feel lethargic and angry. This is a relatively new kind of antidepressant that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD.
Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication for you according to your symptoms and severity. They will likely recommend that you begin antidepressants before the symptoms of seasonal depression usually begin every year, and keep taking them until spring. Based on your specific symptoms, they may also recommend that you utilize a light box or lamp to simulate sunlight and promote the release of serotonin.
It's important that you know that, even though many people with SAD experience a deficiency in vitamin D, there's no evidence to support this as the reason behind their disease. However, ensuring your diet is a source of healthy foods and that you spend enough time outdoors in the sun can aid in reducing.
SAD can be very challenging, and the symptoms can seem to persist for a long time. But it is crucial to understand that there are many treatments for this condition. with the help of your GP, you can overcome the symptoms and resume a 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 winter and autumn and is more severe in the spring and the summer. It is caused by changes to the amount of sunlight and biological clocks, which can affect sleep, eating habits and mood. 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 triggers chemical changes in the brain which can trigger depression. SAD sufferers are more likely than other people to suffer from other mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or major depression. They may also be at risk because of family history, for example, someone in the family with schizophrenia or depression.
People suffering from winter-pattern SAD generally have lower levels of the brain chemical serotonin which regulates mood. Low levels of serotonin can affect sleep, the ability to think clearly and can cause sadness. Melatonin levels could be lower in people with SAD summer-pattern. This can alter sleep patterns and cause feelings of depression.
The symptoms of SAD are sadness, low energy and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy. It is possible to withdraw from 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 problem that requires immediate attention.
Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers overcome depression through the modification of unhealthy thought patterns and behavior. In the sessions of psychotherapy, your therapist will ask questions and help you to pay attention to how you react in difficult situations. Together, you'll work to find new ways to deal with these situations.
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. It was created by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT was built on Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It is focused on changing negative patterns of "emotional reasoning" which can cause depression.
Light therapy
As the seasons change, seasons many people feel slow exhausted, fatigued and down in the dumps. These feelings are more serious than "winter's blues" and can lead to depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you suffer from this condition, simple lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and help restore your normal mood.
Research has proven that bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, can help improve symptoms of SAD and other conditions affecting your mood. Early morning use of a full spectrum light or light box can reduce symptoms. Light therapy works by increasing the production of serotonin an organic chemical that improves your mood and makes you more alert. It can also prevent a drop in your circadian clock, the body's inner clock that controls sleep cycles.
The best results for SAD are achieved through a special device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, about the same brightness as outside on clear days 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 hours, seven days a week.
If you are suffering from headaches or eye strain, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and you. It's important to utilize a light box that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays which can damage your eyes and skin. You can purchase a light box from your physician or find one on the Internet, but make sure it's medically approved for the treatment of SAD.
It is important to inform your healthcare provider if you have bipolar disorder or another mental health condition, because in some individuals, bright light therapy or antidepressants can cause a manic episode. The risk can be minimized by using these treatments with the guidance of a medical professional.