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Seasonal Depression Symptoms SAD is characterised by sadness or a decline in enjoyment of everyday activities. They might lose interest in family and friends, sleep more, or have trouble getting up, and crave carbohydrates which give the body rapid energy. Less sunlight in fall and winter can affect the brain pathways that regulate mood. Some people experience mild symptoms, but others have symptoms serious enough to affect relationships and work. Treatment There are many options for treatment. People with SAD can benefit from psychotherapy, light therapy and medications. They can also make small adjustments that can ease symptoms and improve mood. SAD can be either severe or mild. It can lead to changes in an individual's appetite, energy levels and concentration. Some people with SAD may experience irritability or angry more easily. They may also have trouble concentrating or making decisions. Some people with SAD are unable to sleep well which can result in a lack of energy throughout the day. The change in seasons can cause symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours during the winter and fall months can alter a person's biological rhythms. Serotonin levels can drop and increase Melatonin. This can lead to sleepiness or depression. People with SAD report feeling depressed or sad at certain times of the year. They usually experience these symptoms during winter or autumn months and feel better in spring. They may also experience a feeling of elation or feeling high in the summer. People with SAD might experience more episodes of depression than other people. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is crucial to obtain a medical diagnosis. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches people to confront and change negative thoughts. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts related to the season to more positive ones. It assists people in finding fun activities to counteract their lack of interest during the summer or winter months. It's not clear how effective herbal supplements or remedies are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements do not have the same degree of control as prescription drugs. They can interact with prescription medications and cause serious issues. Talk to your healthcare professional prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplements. Medication The symptoms of seasonal depression are more serious than a few “winter blues.” If you experience these mood swings throughout the year at the same time you GP can assist in diagnosing and manage your symptoms. Treatment options include psychotherapy, light therapy and medications. Many people suffering from winter-pattern SAD experience depressive episodes that come and go every year during the winter and fall. These episodes can be accompanied by a lack energy and a greater appetite, a preference for starchy foods as well as sleep disturbances and weight increase. These symptoms can lead to feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts in the most severe instances. In addition to antidepressants, certain people suffering from SAD benefit from taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps balance your serotonin and dopamine levels and reduces the feeling of being depressed and angry. postpartum depression symptoms is a relatively new type of antidepressant that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in treating SAD. Your physician will prescribe the most effective medication for you based on your particular symptoms and severity. They will probably recommend starting antidepressants during the fall before your symptoms that are seasonal begin every year and continue to take them until spring. They may also suggest that you use a lamp or light box to simulate sunlight, which can encourage serotonin to release. It's important to know that although many people with SAD are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, there is no proof of this being the cause of their illness. However, ensuring your diet is full of healthy foods and take time to get exposed to sunlight can aid in reducing. SAD can be very challenging and the symptoms may seem to last for a long time. It is essential to recognize that there are a variety of treatments available for this condition, and with the help of your GP, you can overcome your symptoms and live 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 Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a kind of depression that appears in winter and fall and gets better during the spring and summer. It is caused by changes in sunlight exposure and biological rhythms that can affect sleep, eating, mood and behavior. Antidepressants, light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can help improve symptoms of seasonal depression. Researchers don't know the cause of SAD. They believe that a lack of sunlight causes brain chemicals to change that can lead to depression. SAD sufferers are more likely than others to suffer from other mental conditions, such as major depression or bipolar disorder. They could also be susceptible due to a family history of mental health issues such as depression or schizophrenia. Serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, is usually lower in those with SAD winter-pattern. Serotonin levels are low and can affect sleep and the ability to concentrate and can cause sadness. Melatonin levels may be lower in people who have SAD summer-pattern. This can alter sleep patterns and trigger feelings of depression. SAD symptoms include low energy, sadness, difficulty concentrating, and a decrease in interest in the things you usually enjoy. In certain instances you may withdraw from friends and family during the dark, snowy months or shed weight as a way to deal with your emotions that are negative. You may also begin to feel suicidal or suicidal, which is a major medical emergency that requires immediate care. Therapy can help people suffering from SAD overcome their depression by changing negative thought patterns and behavior. During psychotherapy sessions, your therapist will ask questions and encourage you to be attentive to how you react in difficult situations. Then, you'll work together to develop strategies to handle these situations in a different way. Psychotherapy is most successful when it is tailored to a specific issue, such as SAD. One of the most promising treatments for SAD is called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. CBT was developed by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is built on Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on changing harmful patterns of “emotional reasoning” that lead to depression. Light therapy Many people feel tired, slow and depressed when the seasons change. For some, these feelings are more serious than a typical condition known as the “winter blues” and can lead to depression, which is known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. If you suffer from this disorder just a few lifestyle changes, as well as the help of medication or psychotherapy can help ease your symptoms and return your mood to normal. Bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, has been proven to help alleviate symptoms of SAD as well as other conditions that affect your mood. The daily use of an e-lamp or full-spectrum light during the early morning hours can help reduce your symptoms. Light therapy boosts serotonin production, a natural chemical which boosts your mood. It can also prevent the deterioration of your circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock in your body that regulates sleep cycles, as well as other vital functions. The best results can be achieved by using a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is about the same amount of brightness you experience outside on a sunny day in July. Your doctor will suggest you sit or stand in front of the device each day for 30 minutes or more, starting in the early morning hours, all week. You may experience some headaches or eye strain while using the light, but these effects usually go away by adjusting the intensity of the light and the distance between you and the light source. Use a light box 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 through your physician or find one on the Internet However, be sure it's medically approved to treat SAD. It is essential to inform your doctor that you suffer from bipolar disorder or another mental health problem, as in some individuals bright light therapy or antidepressants could trigger a manic episode. The risk can be reduced by using these treatments under the supervision of a psychiatrist.