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Seasonal Depression Symptoms Like other types of depression, those with SAD experience sadness or a lack of enthusiasm for daily activities. symptoms of anxiety disorders depression may become less interested in their families and friends, fall asleep more or have trouble waking up, and they crave carbs which give the body rapid energy. The lack of sunlight in autumn and winter can affect the brain pathways that help regulate mood. Some people have mild symptoms, whereas others suffer from symptoms that are severe enough to affect relationships and work. Treatment The good news is that treatment options are available. Patients suffering from SAD can benefit from light therapy, psychotherapy and medication. Simple changes can also help relieve symptoms and improve mood. SAD can be mild, moderate or even severe. It can affect people's concentration and energy level as well as appetite. Some people suffering from SAD might feel angry and frustrated more frequently. They may also experience difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Some people suffering from SAD have trouble sleeping well, which can lead to an inability to focus throughout the day. The changing seasons can trigger symptoms of SAD. The shorter hours of daylight during winter and autumn seasons could affect a person’s biological rhythms. Serotonin levels can drop and increase the hormone melatonin. This could cause insomnia or depression. People who suffer from SAD feel depressed or sad at a particular time of the year. They usually experience these symptoms in winter or autumn and are more comfortable in spring. They may also experience a feeling of elation or feeling awestruck in the summer. People suffering from SAD may have more depression episodes than other people. SAD is often confused with other mood disorders. It's important to get an assessment from a medical professional. CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is a successful treatment option for SAD. CBT is a form of psychotherapy which teaches people how to challenge and change negative thinking. CBT for SAD is focused on changing negative thoughts associated with the season and replacing them with more positive ones. It also assists people in finding enjoyable activities to combat the lack of interest that they typically have in the summer or winter months. It's not clear what the efficacy of herbal supplements or remedies are for SAD. Many herbal remedies and dietary supplements aren't regulated in the similar way medications are. They could cause serious problems when they interact with prescription medications. Consult your doctor prior to taking any dietary or herbal supplements. Medication The symptoms of seasonal depression are much more severe than the occasional “winter blues.” If you experience these mood swings throughout the year at the same time, your GP can help you identify and treat your symptoms. Treatment options include light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication. Many people who suffer from winter-pattern SAD experience depressive episodes that appear and go throughout the year in the fall and winter. These episodes can be accompanied by a lack energy and a greater appetite and a desire for food that is starchy and sleep disturbances, as well as weight increase. These symptoms can cause feelings of despair, hopelessness and even suicidal ideas in the most severe instances. In addition to antidepressants, some people with SAD benefit by taking a dopamine inhibitor like bupropion. This medication helps balance your serotonin levels and dopamine levels to lessen the tendency to be unmotivated and irritable. This is a relatively new antidepressant that is approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat SAD. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication for you depending on your symptoms and severity. They may suggest that you start antidepressants in the fall, before your seasonal symptoms typically begin every year and continue to take them until spring. Depending on your particular symptoms they might also suggest that you utilize a light box or lamp to simulate sunlight and encourage the release of serotonin. It's crucial to understand that, although many people suffering from SAD experience a deficiency in vitamin D, there's no evidence to suggest this as a cause for their disease. You can improve your health by eating nutritious food and spending enough time outdoors in the sunshine. SAD can be a very difficult condition and the symptoms may appear to last for a long period of time. But it is crucial to understand 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 live living your life normally. 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 the 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. The treatment for seasonal depression is with antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy, and light therapy. Researchers don't know the cause of SAD. They believe that less sunlight triggers a chemical change in the brain that leads to depression. SAD sufferers are more likely than others to suffer from other mental conditions, such as bipolar disorder or major depression. They also may be at risk because of family history, for example, someone in the family with depression or schizophrenia. People with winter-pattern SAD often have lower levels of the brain chemical serotonin which regulates mood. Low levels of serotonin can affect sleep and the ability to concentrate and lead to sadness. People with summer-pattern SAD might have lower levels of melatonin which can affect sleep patterns and increase feelings of depression. The symptoms of SAD are depression, sadness and a lack of concentration. It can also cause a losing interest in the activities that you normally enjoy. It is possible to withdraw from your family and friends during winter months, or lose weight to cope with the negative emotions. You might also begin to feel suicidal. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. Talk therapy can assist SAD sufferers recover from depression through the change of negative thoughts and behaviors. During sessions, your therapist will ask you questions and encourage you to be aware of how you respond to stressful situations. You will then work together to come up with new ways to deal with these situations. Psychotherapy is most effective when it's customized to a specific issue such as SAD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising therapies available for SAD. CBT was invented by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It is an adaptation of Albert Ellis’ rational emotive behavior therapy. It focuses on transforming negative patterns of emotional reasoning” that cause depression. Light therapy Many people feel tired, sluggish and depressed when the seasons change. For some, these symptoms are more severe than a typical situation of “winter blues” and may lead to depression known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. If you suffer from this condition, a few lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms and help restore your normal mood. Bright light therapy, also known as phototherapy, has been shown to reduce 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 can help alleviate symptoms. Light therapy helps increase your production of serotonin, a natural chemical that boosts your mood and makes you more alert. It can also prevent a decrease in your circadian clock, which is the internal clock of your body that regulates sleep cycles. The most effective results for SAD can be achieved by using a special device that emits 10,000 lux of bright white light, roughly the same brightness as outside on an uncloudy day in July. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you sit or stand in front of the device for 30 minutes per day, beginning in the morning. You might experience eye strain or headaches while using the light, however these effects typically disappear when you alter the intensity of the light as well as the distance between you and the light source. Use a light source with a filter that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays. These radiations can cause damage to your skin and eyes. You can purchase a light box from your healthcare provider or find one on the Internet, but make sure that it's approved by a medical professional to treat SAD. It is essential to inform your healthcare professional if you have bipolar disorder or another mental health problem, as in some people treatment with bright light therapy or antidepressants may cause a manic episode. These risks can be mitigated by utilizing these treatments under the guidance of a medical professional.