Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that affects many people during the fall and winter –and, more rarely, during the spring and summer. Getting a proper diagnosis of SAD enables those who suffer from seasonal depression to get the best treatments and medications to help them overcome their illness. Talking with a family doctor or physician or meeting with a psychiatrist to discuss the possibility of SAD for those who exhibit its symptoms can help individuals mitigate the effects of depression more easily.
Causes and Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder
The symptoms of SAD are similar to those of regular depression, so it is wise for any person who exhibits symptoms to talk with a doctor about what treatments will be necessary to achieve wellness. Symptoms of SAD include hopelessness, oversleeping, loss of energy, withdrawal from social activities, anxieties, a loss of interest in activities formerly enjoyed, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes and weight gain.
SAD is caused by a number of things. The most prominent causes are the disruption of circadian rhythms, which are the body’s natural rhythms in connection with the days and seasons, and changes in melatonin and serotonin levels.
Melatonin affects sleep patterns and moods; taking a melatonin supplement can help offset the seasonal shift in the levels of this chemical. Serotonin levels can fall in response to a lack of sunlight, and as serotonin plays a role in moods as well, a lower level of this chemical can cause depression.
Phototherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Light therapy, or phototherapy, is a form of treatment used for individuals suffering from SAD. To benefit from phototherapy, an individual will sit in front of a specially designed light box. The box emits a bright light that mimics sunlight; exposure to this light will cause the brain to adjust the chemicals it produces in response.
Talk to a doctor before engaging in phototherapy or purchasing a light box for home use.
Engaging in light therapy can be effective in dealing with SAD and its effects, and receiving natural light is a healthy way to enhance its effects. Participating in outdoor activities even during winter can contribute to improvements in mood and sleep patterns.
Medications Used to Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder
Medications available for the treatment of SAD are those traditionally associated with depression or emotional disorders. Talking to a doctor about the effects a medication will have on mood, sleep patterns, appetite and daily function before agreeing to take it is important. Treating SAD with antidepressants can be very effective in combating the effects of the disorder.
Source:
 |
