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Seasonal Depression Symptoms Similar to other forms of depression, people suffering from SAD experience sadness or a lack of enthusiasm for daily activities. They might lose interest in family and friends, sleep more often or have difficulty getting up, and crave carbohydrates that provide quick energy. The lack of sunlight in autumn and winter can alter brain pathways that regulate mood. Some people experience mild symptoms, whereas others have symptoms serious enough to interfere with relationships and work. Treatment The good news is that treatment options are readily available. severe depression and anxiety symptoms suffering from SAD can benefit from light therapy, psychotherapy and medications. Simple changes can also help relieve symptoms and improve mood. SAD can be either severe or mild. It can affect someone's concentration and energy level as well as appetite. Some people suffering from SAD might feel irritable and angry more easily. They might also have trouble taking decisions and concentrating. Some people with SAD are unable to sleep well and this can cause fatigue during the day. The changing seasons can cause symptoms of SAD. The shorter days in fall and winter may alter a person's biological rhythms. This can lower serotonin levels and boost melatonin. This can cause depression or increase sleepiness. People suffering from SAD typically feel sad or depressed at a specific time of year. They usually experience these symptoms during autumn or winter and are more comfortable in spring. They can also experience episodes of elation, or feeling high in the summer. People with SAD may experience more depression episodes than other people. SAD can be confused with other mood disorders. It is essential to get an evaluation from a health provider. CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a successful treatment option for SAD. CBT is a kind of psychotherapy that teaches people how to challenge and change thoughts that are not helpful. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts related to the season to more positive ones. It also assists people to find enjoyable activities to counteract the loss of interest they typically have in the summer or winter. It's not clear what the effectiveness of herbal remedies or supplements are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements do not have the same level of control as prescription drugs. They can cause serious issues when they interact with prescription medications. Consult your doctor before taking any herbal or dietary supplements. Medication The symptoms of seasonal depressive disorder are more serious than just 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 psychotherapy, light therapy and medication. The winter-pattern SAD is characterized by depressive episodes that happen every year during the winter and fall. These episodes are often accompanied by a lack energy and a greater appetite and a desire for starchy foods and sleep disturbances, as well as weight gain. These symptoms can cause you to feel helpless or depressed, and may even lead to suicide in severe cases. In addition to antidepressants some people with SAD benefit from taking a dopamine-inhibitor like bupropion. This medication balances your serotonin levels and dopamine levels, which can reduce the likelihood of becoming anxious and lethargic. This is a relatively new type of antidepressant that was 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 the specific symptoms and the severity of your illness. They'll likely suggest that you start antidepressants before the symptoms of seasonality usually begin each year, and continue taking them until spring. They may recommend using an artificial light source or a light box to simulate sunlight, which can trigger serotonin release. It is important to know that, even though many people suffering from SAD suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D, there's no evidence to suggest this as the cause of their disease. However, ensuring that your diet is rich in healthy foods and spend enough time outdoors to expose yourself to sunlight can help. SAD can be extremely challenging and the symptoms can appear to last for a long time. However, it is important to know that there are a variety of treatments available for this condition, and with the assistance of your GP and a variety of treatments, you can beat 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 type of depression that manifests in winter and fall and improves in 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 ease symptoms of seasonal depression. Researchers aren't sure what causes SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers a chemical shift in the brain that can lead to depression. SAD patients are more likely than others to suffer from other mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or major depression. They may also be susceptible due to the family history of mental health conditions like depression or schizophrenia. People suffering from winter-pattern SAD typically have lower levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which regulates mood. Serotonin levels are low and can affect sleep and the ability to concentrate and can cause sadness. People who suffer from summer-pattern SAD might have lower melatonin levels, which can affect sleep patterns and increase feelings of depression. The symptoms of SAD are sadness, low energy and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy. In certain instances you may decide to be unable to connect with family and friends during the dark, snowy months or lose weight as a way to deal with your negative emotions. You might also start to feel suicidal or suicidal, which is a major medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers overcome their depression by changing bad habits of thinking and behavior. In sessions with your therapist, they will ask questions and help you to be aware of your reactions to difficult situations. Together, you'll work to discover new ways to handle these situations. Psychotherapy is most effective when it's specifically tailored to a particular issue, such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments for SAD. CBT was invented by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is based on Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behaviour therapy. It focuses on transforming negative patterns of emotional reasoning” that lead to depression. Light therapy Many people feel tired, sluggish and depressed as the seasons change. These feelings can be more serious than “winter's blues” and lead to depression, which is also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you suffer from this disorder just a few lifestyle changes and the assistance of psychotherapy or medication can alleviate your symptoms and bring your mood to normal. Bright light therapy, or phototherapy, has been proven to improve symptoms of SAD and other conditions that can affect your mood. A daily use of a light box or specialized full-spectrum light in the early morning can help reduce your symptoms. Light therapy works by increasing your production of serotonin, an organic chemical that improves your mood and boosts your alertness. It can also help prevent the decline in your circadian rhythm, which is the body's internal clock that controls sleep cycles, and other important functions. The most effective results for SAD are achieved through an instrument that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, roughly the same amount of light as outside on an uncloudy day in July. Your healthcare professional will recommend that you stand or sit in the front of the device every day for 30 minutes or more starting in the early hours of the morning, every day of the week. If you are suffering from headaches or eye strain and headaches, you can alter the intensity and distance between the light source and your. It is essential to use a light box that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that could harm your eyes and the skin. You can purchase a lightbox through your healthcare provider or you can locate one online. Just make sure that it's medically approved to treat SAD. You should tell your healthcare professional whether you suffer from bipolar disorder or another mental health issue, as in some people, bright light therapy or antidepressants could trigger a manic episode. These risks can be mitigated through these treatments under the guidance of a psychiatrist.