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Seasonal Depression Symptoms SAD is characterised by sadness or a lack in the enjoyment of everyday activities. They may become less interested in their families and friends, fall asleep 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 have mild symptoms, while others suffer from symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with relationships and work. Treatment There are many treatment options available. Psychotherapy, light therapy and medications can aid people with SAD. Simple changes can also help relieve symptoms and improve mood. SAD can be mild, moderate or even severe. It can lead to changes in an individual's energy levels, appetite, and concentration. Some people with SAD may experience irritability or angry more frequently. They might also have trouble making decisions and concentrating. Certain people with SAD have trouble sleeping well which can result in an inability to focus throughout the day. The symptoms of SAD can be triggered by the change in seasons. The shorter hours of daylight in the winter and fall months can affect a person's bio rhythms. This can reduce serotonin levels and boost melatonin. This can cause insomnia or cause depression. People who have SAD often complain of feeling sad or depressed at certain times of the year. These symptoms usually occur in winter or the fall, and they feel better in spring. They can also experience episodes of elation or feeling high in the summertime. SAD sufferers may experience more episodes of depression. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is crucial to obtain an medical diagnosis. CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a successful treatment option for SAD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches people to challenge and change negative thoughts. CBT for SAD concentrates on changing negative thoughts about the season to more helpful ones. It also helps people find pleasurable activities to offset the lack of interest they usually experience in the winter or summer. It's not known how effective herbal remedies or supplements can be for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements don't have the same level of control as prescription drugs. 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 around the same time you GP can assist in diagnosing and treat your symptoms. Treatment options include psychotherapy, light therapy and medications. Many people suffering from winter-pattern SAD suffer from depression-like episodes that come and go throughout the year in the fall and winter. These episodes can be associated with a lack of energy and appetite, a preference for starchy food as well as sleep disturbances and weight growth. These symptoms can lead you to feel hopeless or depressed, and may even lead to suicide in severe instances. Some people with SAD may benefit from taking bupropion, a dopamine inhibitor. This medication can help balance your levels of serotonin and dopamine and reduces the tendency to feel lethargic and anxious. This is a relatively new type of antidepressant which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of SAD. Your GP will prescribe the best medication for you based on your particular symptoms and the severity of your illness. They may suggest that you start antidepressants in the fall before the symptoms of seasonal depression typically begin every year and continue to take them until spring. They might also suggest that you use an artificial light source or a light box to simulate sunlight, which can trigger the release serotonin. It's important to note that even though many people suffering from SAD suffer from an absence of vitamin D, there is no proof of this being the reason of their condition. You can improve your health by eating nutritious food and spending enough time outdoors in the sun. SAD can be very challenging and the symptoms can appear to last for a long time. But it is crucial to understand that there are a variety of treatments available for this condition. with the help of your GP and a variety of treatments, you can beat 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 type of depression that occurs in the fall and winter and increases during spring and summer. It is caused by changes to sunlight exposure and biological clocks, which can affect sleep, eating habits and mood. Antidepressants, light therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy can improve symptoms of seasonal depression. Researchers don't know the cause of SAD. They believe that a lack of sunlight causes chemical changes in the brain that can lead to depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to have other mental health problems, including major depression and bipolar disorder. They may also be at risk because of family history, such as someone in the family with depression or schizophrenia. Serotonin, a chemical in the brain that regulates mood, is often less in people who have SAD winter-pattern. Insufficient levels of this chemical can cause problems with sleeping and thinking clearly, as well as feeling sad. Melatonin levels might be lower in people with SAD summer-pattern. This can alter sleep patterns and trigger depression-like symptoms. SAD symptoms include depression, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, as well as losing interest in the activities you normally enjoy. You might cut off contact with your friends and family during the dark, cold months or lose weight to deal with the negative emotions. You might also start to feel suicidal and this is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate care. Therapy can help people suffering from SAD overcome their depression by changing their negative thinking patterns and behaviors. During sessions, your therapist might ask you questions and encourage you to pay attention to your reactions to stressful situations. Then, you will discuss ways to deal with these situations differently. Psychotherapy is most effective when it is tailored for a specific problem, 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 is an adaptation of Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on reversing the negative patterns of “emotional reasoning” which can cause depression. symptoms of anxiety disorders depression With the change of seasons people can feel tired exhausted, fatigued and depressed. These symptoms can be more serious than the “winter's blues” and may lead to depression, which is also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you are suffering from this disorder, a few simple lifestyle changes and the help of medication or psychotherapy can alleviate your symptoms and bring your mood to normal. Bright light therapy, or phototherapy, has been proven to improve symptoms of SAD, as well as other conditions that affect your mood. A daily use of light boxes or specialized full-spectrum light during the early morning can help alleviate your symptoms. Light therapy increases your production of serotonin, an organic chemical that improves your mood and boosts your alertness. It can also prevent a drop in your circadian clock, which is the internal clock in 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 brightness that you see outside on a sunny day in July. Your doctor will suggest 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. There may be some eye strain or headaches while using the light, but these effects will usually disappear by adjusting the intensity of the light and distance between you and the light source. It's important to utilize a light box that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays which can damage your eyes and the skin. You can buy the lightbox from your healthcare provider, or you can locate one on the internet. Make sure it's medically approved to treat SAD. Inform your doctor if you suffer from you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental disorder, you have. Bright light therapy, also known as antidepressants, can cause manic episodes in certain people. These risks can be reduced by utilizing these treatments under the guidance of a doctor.