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Seasonal Depression Symptoms SAD is characterized by sadness or a deficiency in enjoyment of daily activities. They may become less interested in their families and friends, fall asleep more, or have trouble getting up, and are in search of carbohydrates that give the body quick energy. The brain's pathways for regulating mood can be affected by the absence of sunlight during the fall and winter months. Some sufferers experience mild symptoms, while others suffer from symptoms that are severe enough to interfere in relationships and at work. Treatment There are a variety of treatment options available. Psychotherapy, light therapy and medication can assist those suffering from SAD. They can also make small adjustments that can ease their symptoms and improve their mood. SAD can be mild, moderate or even severe. It can lead to changes in a person's energy levels, appetite, and concentration. Some people with SAD may experience irritability or angry more easily. They may also have trouble taking decisions and concentrating. Certain people suffering from SAD experience difficulty sleeping and could cause them to lose energy during the daytime. The changing seasons can cause symptoms of SAD. The shorter daylight hours during the winter and fall months can affect a person's biological rhythms. This can lower serotonin levels and increase melatonin. This can cause sleepiness or depression. People with SAD frequently report feeling down or sad at a certain time of the year. They typically experience these symptoms during winter or autumn and are more comfortable in spring. In summer, they might have episodes where they feel elevated or euphoric. People suffering from SAD may have more episodes of depression than other people. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is important to obtain an evaluation from a health professional. depression symptoms for men (CBT) is an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy which teaches people how to challenge and change unhelpful thinking. CBT for SAD concentrates on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It also assists people in finding enjoyable activities to counteract the loss of interest they experience during the summer or winter. It's unclear how effective herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and supplements do not have the same degree of control as prescription drugs. They may interact with certain prescription medications and cause serious issues. Talk to your doctor prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplement. Medication The symptoms of seasonal depression disorder are more serious than a few “winter blues.” Your GP can diagnose and treat these symptoms when you experience them throughout the year at the same time. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication. The winter-pattern SAD is characterized by depressive episodes that occur each year during the winter and fall seasons. These episodes can be associated with a lack of energy, an increased appetite, a preference for starchy foods and sleep disturbances, as well as weight increase. These symptoms can trigger feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts in the most extreme cases. Some people with SAD might benefit from taking bupropion, a dopamine inhibitor. This medication regulates serotonin levels and dopamine levels to reduce the possibility of being unmotivated and irritable. This is a relatively new kind of antidepressant that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be used in treating SAD. Your physician will prescribe the most effective medication for you based on the specific symptoms and the severity of your illness. They'll likely suggest that you start antidepressants before the symptoms of seasonal depression usually begin each year, and continue taking them until spring. Based on the specific symptoms you experience they might also suggest that you use a light box or lamp to simulate sunlight and stimulate the release of serotonin. It's important to note that while many people with SAD suffer from a lack of vitamin D, there is no proof that this is the cause of their condition. However, ensuring that your diet is full of healthy foods and that you spend sufficient time outside to expose yourself to sunlight can aid in reducing. SAD can be a very difficult condition and the symptoms can appear to persist for a long time. But it is crucial to recognize that there are many treatments available for this condition, and with the help of your GP and a variety of treatments, you can beat your symptoms and return to 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 the exposure to sunlight and biological clocks, which can disrupt sleep, eating and mood. Light therapy, antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy can improve symptoms of seasonal depression. Researchers aren't certain what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers brain chemicals to change that can lead to depression. People suffering from SAD are more likely to suffer from other mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and major depression. They may be also at risk due to the family history of mental health issues such as depression or schizophrenia. Serotonin, the brain chemical that regulates mood, is typically lower in those with SAD winter-pattern. Serotonin levels are low and can affect sleep and the ability to think clearly and cause sadness. People who suffer from summer-pattern SAD might have lower levels of melatonin, which can impact sleep patterns and increase depression symptoms. SAD symptoms include sadness, low-energy, difficulty concentrating, and a loss of interest in the activities you usually like. You may be unable to connect with your friends and family during the cold, dark winter 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 medical attention. Talk therapy can help SAD sufferers overcome their depression through the modification of negative thoughts and behaviors. During sessions with your therapist, they will ask questions and help you to be aware of your reactions to difficult situations. You will then work together to come up with new ways to handle these situations. Psychotherapy is most effective when it's tailored to a specific issue like SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments available for SAD. Developed by Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1960s, CBT was based on Albert Ellis' rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on transforming destructive patterns of “emotional reasoning” that lead to depression. Light therapy With the change of seasons many people feel slow exhausted, fatigued and down. For some, these feelings are more serious than a normal situation of “winter blues,” and can lead to depression, which is known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If you suffer from this condition, simple lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and help restore your normal mood. Research has shown that bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, can alleviate symptoms of SAD and other conditions that affect your mood. The early morning use of a full-spectrum light or light box can help alleviate symptoms. Light therapy can boost serotonin levels, a natural chemical that boosts your mood. It can also prevent a decrease in your circadian clock, which is the body's inner clock that controls sleep cycles. The most effective results for SAD are achieved through an instrument that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, around the same brightness as outside on an uncloudy day in July. Your doctor may recommend that you stand or sit in front of the device for 30 minutes every day, starting in the morning. You might experience headaches or eye strain while using the light source, however these effects typically disappear when you alter the intensity of the light and 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 skin and eyes. You can purchase a light box through your physician or find one on the Internet however, make sure that it's approved by a medical professional to treat SAD. You should tell your healthcare professional whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or any other mental health problem, as in some people, bright light therapy or antidepressants may trigger a manic episode. These risks can be mitigated by utilizing these treatments under the supervision of a psychiatrist.