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Seasonal Depression Symptoms SAD is characterised by sadness or a lack in enjoyment of everyday activities. They may become less interested in their friends and family, sleep more, or have trouble getting up, and are in search of carbohydrates that provide quick energy. The brain's mood-regulating pathways can be affected by the absence of sunlight in winter and fall. Some sufferers experience mild symptoms, while others experience symptoms that are severe enough to affect relationships and at work. Treatment There are a variety of options for treatment. Psychotherapy, light therapy, and medication can help people with SAD. They can also make simple adjustments that can ease their symptoms and improve their mood. SAD can be mild, moderate or even severe. It can cause changes in an individual's appetite, energy levels and concentration. People with SAD may experience irritability or angry more frequently. They may also have difficulty taking decisions and concentrating. Certain people suffering from SAD experience difficulty sleeping and this can cause them to lack energy throughout the day. Symptoms of SAD can be triggered by the change in seasons. The shorter hours of daylight in the winter and fall seasons can affect a person's bio rhythms. This can decrease serotonin and increase melatonin. This can cause insomnia or cause depression. People who have SAD often feel sad or depressed at a certain time of the year. They usually experience these symptoms during winter or autumn and feel better in spring. They may also experience a feeling of elation or feeling high in the summer. SAD sufferers may have more depression-related episodes. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is essential to get medical advice. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that helps people to challenge and change unhelpful thoughts. CBT for SAD concentrates on changing negative thoughts about the season to more positive ones. It helps people find fun activities to counteract their lack of interest during the summer or winter months. It's not known what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements don't have the same level of regulation as medications. They can cause serious issues when they interact with prescription medications. Consult your healthcare provider prior to taking any herbal or dietary supplement. Medication The symptoms of seasonal depressive disorder are more serious than just a few “winter blues.” Your GP can help diagnose and treat these symptoms when you experience them throughout the year at the same time. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy and medication. Many people suffering from winter-pattern SAD have depressive episodes that appear and go every year during the winter and fall. These episodes are often accompanied by a lack energy and a greater appetite, a preference for starchy foods as well as sleep disturbances and weight gain. These symptoms can trigger feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts in the most severe cases. Some people with SAD may benefit from taking bupropion, a dopamine inhibitor. This medication helps balance your serotonin levels and dopamine levels to lessen the tendency to be 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 to treat SAD. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication for you based on your symptoms and degree of severity. signs and symptoms of bipolar depression might suggest that you begin antidepressants in the fall before your symptoms that are seasonal start each year, and continue taking them until spring. They might recommend using a lamp or light box to simulate sunlight, which can encourage serotonin to release. It's important to note that even though many people suffering from SAD suffer from a vitamin D deficiency however, there is no evidence of this being the cause of their illness. You can improve your health by consuming an appropriate diet and spending enough time in the sun. SAD can be extremely challenging, and the symptoms can appear to last for a long period of time. It is essential to recognize that there are a variety of treatments for this condition, and with the help of your GP, you can overcome the symptoms and resume your 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 is common in winter and fall seasons and increases during spring and summer. It is caused by changes in the amount of sunlight exposure and biological rhythms which can alter sleep, eating habits, mood and behavior. Seasonal depression can be treated with antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy and light therapy. Researchers aren't quite sure what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers chemical changes in the brain which lead to depression. SAD sufferers are more likely than others to be suffering from mental illnesses, such as major depression or bipolar disorder. They may also be at risk due to a family history of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or depression. Serotonin, the brain chemical that regulates mood, is typically less in people who have SAD winter-pattern. Low levels of this chemical could result in problems sleeping, thinking clearly and feeling sad. People with summer-pattern SAD might have lower melatonin levels, which can affect sleeping patterns and trigger depression-related symptoms. SAD symptoms include sadness, low energy and difficulty concentrating, as well as an absence of interest in the activities you normally enjoy. It is possible to be unable to connect with family and friends during the cold, dark winter months or lose weight in order to cope with the negative emotions. You may also begin to feel suicidal and this is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Therapy can help people suffering from SAD overcome depression by changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. In the sessions of psychotherapy, your therapist will ask you questions and encourage you to pay attention to how you react in difficult situations. You will then work together to discover new ways to deal with these situations. Psychotherapy is most effective when it's customized for a specific problem, like SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments available for SAD. CBT was created by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is based on Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behaviour therapy. It focuses on changing destructive patterns of “emotional reasoning” that cause depression. Light therapy Many people feel tired, slow and depressed as the seasons change. For some, these symptoms are more severe than a typical case of the “winter blues” and can lead to depression, which is known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If you suffer from this condition, a few lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and restore your normal mood. Bright light therapy, or phototherapy, has been proven to reduce symptoms of SAD as well as other conditions that can affect your mood. Early morning use of a full spectrum light or light box can help reduce symptoms. Light therapy helps increase your production of serotonin, natural chemical that increases your mood and makes you more alert. It can also prevent the decline in your circadian rhythm, the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles and other important functions. The best results can be obtained by using a device that emits 10,000 Lux of bright white light. This is about the same amount of brightness you see outside on a sunny day in July. Your doctor may recommend that you stand or sit in front of the device for 30 minutes each day, beginning in the morning. If you suffer from headaches or eye strain, you can adjust the intensity and distance between the light source and you. It is important to make use of a light source that filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays which can cause damage to your eyes and the skin. You can purchase a light box through your physician or find one on the Internet However, be sure it's medically approved for treatment of SAD. Inform your doctor if you suffer from bipolar disorder, or any other mental condition, you have. Bright light therapy, or antidepressants can cause manic episodes in certain individuals. The risk can be reduced through these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.