Seasonal Depression Symptoms

As with other types of depression, people suffering from SAD feel depressed or have a feeling of sadness in their daily activities. They may lose interest in family and friends, sleep more, or have trouble waking up. They also crave carbohydrates, which provide the body an instant boost common signs of depression energy.

In the fall and winter can alter brain pathways that regulate mood. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others have symptoms serious enough to interfere with relationships and work.

Treatment

There are many treatment options available. Patients suffering from SAD can benefit from light therapy, psychotherapy and medications. Simple changes can also help to relieve symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be severe or mild. It can lead to changes in an individual's energy levels, appetite, and concentration. People with SAD may feel irritable and angry more frequently. They may also have difficulty in concentrating or making decisions. Some people suffering from SAD have trouble sleeping well and this can cause an inability to focus during the daytime. The change in seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours in the fall and winter can affect a person's bio rhythms. This can lower serotonin levels and boost Melatonin levels. This can lead to insomnia or depression.

People with SAD frequently report feeling down or sad at a specific time of year. They usually experience these symptoms in winter or autumn and are more comfortable in spring. In the summer, they might have episodes where they feel elevated or euphoric. SAD sufferers may experience more episodes of depression. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It's crucial to seek medical advice.

Cognitive behavioral symptoms of depression therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps people to confront and change negative thoughts. CBT for SAD focuses primarily on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It also assists people to find pleasurable activities to offset the lack of interest that they typically have in the summer or winter.

It's not clear what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements do not have the same level of control as prescription drugs. They can interact with certain prescription medications and cause serious issues. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking any herbal or dietary supplements.

Medication

The symptoms of seasonal depressive disorder are more serious than just a few "winter blues." If you are suffering from these mood swings every year at the same time your GP can help diagnose and manage your symptoms. Treatment options include psychotherapy, light therapy and medication.

Winter-pattern SAD is defined by depressive episodes that occur each year during the fall and winter. These episodes are often 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 feelings of hopelessness, despair and even suicidal ideas in the most severe cases.

Some people with SAD may benefit from taking a bupropion, which is a dopamine-inhibitor. This medication helps balance your serotonin levels and dopamine levels, which can reduce the possibility of being irritable and lethargic. This is a relatively recent 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 common symptoms of depression and degree of severity. They'll likely suggest that you start antidepressants before seasonal symptoms usually start each year, and continue taking them until spring. Depending on your particular symptoms they might also suggest that you use a lightbox or lamp to simulate sunlight and encourage the release of serotonin.

It is important to know that, while many people with SAD suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D, there is no evidence to suggest this as a cause for the condition. However, making sure your diet is full of healthy foods and spend enough time outdoors to get exposed to sunlight can help.

SAD can be very challenging and the symptoms may appear to persist for a long time. It is essential to understand that there are a variety of treatments for this condition. With the assistance 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

SAD is a form Signs Of Moderate Depression depression that can be seen in winter and fall seasons, and improves during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the exposure to sunlight and biological clocks that can affect sleep, eating habits and mood. The treatment for seasonal depression is by taking antidepressants, cognitive behavior therapy and light therapy.

Researchers don't know what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers brain chemicals to change that can lead to depression. SAD patients are more likely than others to be suffering from mental conditions, such as bipolar disorder or major depression. They also may be at risk because of family history, like someone in the family with schizophrenia or depression.

People with winter-pattern SAD generally have lower levels of the chemical in the brain called serotonin which regulates mood. Insufficient levels of this chemical may cause problems with sleeping and focusing, as well as being sad. Melatonin levels might be lower in people with SAD summer-pattern. This can affect sleep patterns and trigger feelings of depression.

The symptoms of SAD are depression, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, as well as losing interest in the activities you normally enjoy. In some instances you may decide to withdraw from friends and family during the dark, snowy months or lose weight as a way to deal with your emotions that are negative. You may also start to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.

Therapy can help people who suffer from SAD overcome depression by changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. During sessions, your therapist might ask you questions and help you to be aware of your reactions to stressful situations. Then, you will work together to come up with new ways to handle these situations.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it is tailored for a specific problem, like SAD. One signs of feeling down the most promising treatments for SAD is called cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT. CBT was created by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is an adaptation of Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behaviour therapy. It focuses on changing destructive patterns of "emotional reasoning" that lead to depression.

Light therapy

As the seasons change, seasons many people feel slow, tired and down. These symptoms can be more serious than the "winter's blues" and lead to depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you suffer from this condition, a few simple lifestyle changes, as well as the help of psychotherapy or medication could help ease your symptoms and return your mood 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 light with a full spectrum or box can help reduce symptoms. Light therapy can boost serotonin production, a natural chemical which boosts your mood. It can also prevent the deterioration of your circadian rhythm. This is the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles, as well as other vital functions.

The most effective results for SAD are achieved through an instrument that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, roughly the same brightness as being outside on clear days in July. Your healthcare professional will recommend you sit or stand in front of the device each day for 30 minutes or more starting in the identifying early signs of depression morning hours, all week.

You might experience headaches or eye strain while using the light source, however these effects typically disappear by adjusting the intensity of the light and the distance between you and the light source. It's important to utilize a light box that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays that could harm your eyes and the skin. You can purchase a light box from your physician or find one on the Internet however, make sure it's medically approved for the treatment of SAD.

Inform your healthcare provider if bipolar disorder, or any other mental condition, you have. Bright light therapy, also known as antidepressants can cause manic episodes in some individuals. The risk can be reduced by utilizing these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.