Seasonal Depression Symptoms

As with other types of depression, people with SAD feel depressed or have a lack of enjoyment in everyday activities. They might lose interest in friends and family, sleep more often or have difficulty getting up, and are in search of carbohydrates 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, while others suffer from symptoms that are severe enough to cause problems in relationships and at work.

Treatment

The good news is that treatment options are available. Patients suffering from SAD can benefit from psychotherapy, light therapy and medication. Simple changes can aid in relieving symptoms and improve mood.

SAD can be mild, moderate or severe. It can lead to changes in the person's energy levels, appetite and concentration. Some people with SAD can feel angry and frustrated more often. They may also experience difficulty taking decisions or concentrating. Some people suffering from SAD are unable to sleep well and this can cause a lack of energy during the day. The change in seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours during the winter and fall months can affect a person's bio rhythms. It can decrease serotonin levels and boost the level of melatonin. This could cause depression or increase sleepiness.

People with SAD report feeling down or sad at a certain time of the year. These symptoms typically occur in winter or the fall, and they feel better in spring. In the summer, they can also have episodes where they feel elevated or euphoric. People with SAD may experience more episodes of depression than other people. SAD is sometimes confused with other mood disorders. It is important to obtain an assessment from a medical doctor.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches people how to challenge and alter unhelpful thinking. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It also assists people to find enjoyable activities to combat the lack of interest they typically have in the summer or winter.

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

Medication

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

Winter-pattern SAD is characterized by depressive episodes that take place throughout the year in the winter and fall. These episodes are often caused by fatigue and a grng and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that affect sleep, eating, mood and behavior. Seasonal depression can be treated with antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy and light therapy.

Researchers aren't sure the cause of SAD. However, they believe that less sunlight triggers a chemical change in the brain that leads to depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to have other mental health symptoms of depression health issues which include major depression and bipolar disorder. They may be also at risk due to an ancestral history of mental health problems such as schizophrenia or depression.

People with winter-pattern SAD typically have lower levels of the brain chemical serotonin that regulates mood. Low levels of this chemical can cause problems with sleeping, thinking clearly and feeling sad. Melatonin levels might be lower in those with SAD summer-pattern. This can alter sleep patterns and cause depression symptoms checklist-like feelings.

The symptoms of SAD are depression, sadness and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy. It is possible to cut off contact with your friends and family during the winter months, or lose weight to cope with the negative emotions. You might also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical problem that requires immediate attention.

Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers overcome their depression through the change of bad habits of thinking and behavior. During psychotherapy sessions, your therapist will ask questions and encourage you to be attentive to your reactions to difficult situations. Then, you will discuss ways to deal with these situations in a different way.

Psychotherapy is most effective when it's customized to a specific issue like SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments available for SAD. CBT was developed by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT was an adaptation of Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy and focuses on changing harmful patterns of "emotional reasoning" which can cause depression.

Light therapy

With the change of seasons, many people feel sluggish exhausted, fatigued and depressed. For some, these issues are more serious than a typical case of the "winter blues" and may lead to depression, which is known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. If you are suffering from this disorder, a few simple lifestyle changes, as well as the help of psychotherapy or medication could relieve your symptoms and restore your mood to normal.

Bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of SAD as well as other conditions that affect your mood. A daily use of an e-lamp or full-spectrum lighting in the early morning can help alleviate your symptoms. Light therapy works by increasing your production of serotonin, natural chemical that increases your mood and helps you stay alert. It can also help prevent the deterioration of your circadian rhythm, which is the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles, as well as other vital functions.

The best results can be obtained by using a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is the same amount of brightness you experience outside on a sunny day in July. Your doctor may recommend that you sit or stand in front of the device for 30 minutes every day, beginning in the morning.

If you experience headaches or eye strain, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and you. It's important to make use of a light source that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage your eyes and the skin. You can buy a lightbox from your healthcare provider or find one on the Internet However, be sure it's medically approved to treat SAD.

Inform your doctor if you suffer from you have bipolar disorder, or any other mental health symptoms of depression illness, you have. Bright light therapy, also known as antidepressants, can trigger manic episodes in some people. These risks can be reduced through these treatments under the guidance of a medical professional.