Seasonal Affective Disorder – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments!
Seasonal Affective Disorder – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. Also, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a psychological condition that results in depression . It is usually brought on by seasonal changes. People usually experience the condition in winter. The condition occurs more often in women and in teenagers and young adults.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood disorder that happens every year at the same time. A rare form of seasonal depression , known as “summer depression ,” begins in late spring or early summer. In general, however, seasonal affective disorder begins in fall or winter and ends in spring or early summer.
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Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder: The reduced level of sunlight in the fall and winter months can affect an individual’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood. Lower serotonin levels have been shown to be linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder .
Brain scans showed that people who had Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter had higher levels of the serotonin transporter protein that removed serotonin than individuals who did not have seasonal depression .
Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain , has been linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder . This hormone, which can affect sleep and mood patterns, is produced at increased levels in the dark. Therefore, when the days are shorter and darker, the production of this hormone increases.
Melatonin can also affect an individual’s circadian rhythm, or “biological clock,” resulting in “inner clocks” out of sync with “outer clocks,” or the usual sleep/wake rhythms. This can result in some of the symptoms associated with seasonal depression .
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder can vary from person to person, symptoms usually start in October or November and end in March or April. However, it is possible to experience symptoms before or after that time. Broadly speaking, there are two types of Seasonal Affective Disorder : winter and summer.
Symptoms of Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder include:
- daytime fatigue ;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Feelings of hopelessness;
- increased irritability;
- Lack of interest in social activities;
- Lethargy;
- Reduced sexual interest;
- Unhappiness;
- weight gain.
Symptoms of Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder include:
- Agitation;
- Difficulty sleeping;
- Increased restlessness;
- Lack of appetite;
- weight loss .
In severe cases, people with Seasonal Affective Disorder may experience suicidal thoughts.
Diagnoses of Seasonal Affective Disorder: Research reveals that Seasonal Affective Disorder is not considered a separate disorder . It is called a “course specifier” and can be applied as an additional description to the pattern of major depressive episodes in patients with major depressive disorder or patients with bipolar disorder.
Seasonal Affective Disorder must meet four criteria: depressive episodes at a particular time of year; Remissions or mania/hypomania at a characteristic time of year; These patterns must have lasted two years with no non-seasonal major depressive episodes during that same period; And these seasonal depressive episodes outnumber other depressive episodes throughout the patient’s lifetime.
Treatments For Seasonal Affective Disorder: With any mental health issue, Seasonal Affective Disorder does not get a single treatment. Here are some options to explore with your doctor.
Medications: Antidepressants have proven to be effective for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder , especially those with severe symptoms. Medication requires patience as it can take several weeks before you start to feel the effects. It is also important not to stop taking the medication if you feel better. Consult your doctor before changing your dosage, and let him know if you experience any side effects.
Psychotherapy: Talk therapy can be an invaluable option for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder . A psychotherapist can help you identify patterns of negative thinking and behavior that affect depression , learn positive ways to deal with symptoms, and institute relaxation techniques that can help you restore lost energy.
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Light Therapy: Phototherapy involves exposure to light through a special box or lamp. This device produces effects similar to natural light, triggering chemicals in your brain that help regulate your mood. This treatment has proven to be effective especially for those experiencing the winter version of Seasonal Affective Disorder .