I heard of the term Seasonal Affective Disorder. The exact cause of this type of depression is not known, but it has been linked to the changing of the seasons.
In the darker months of the year, when exposure to sunlight is less, there is an increase in melatonin and a decrease in the amount of vitamins D and strontium. According to a review in the The Physician and Sportsmedicine, one to 10 percent of the population is affected by the disease.
It's not just your mood that can be affected. It can leave you feeling tired and unfocused. We spoke to a number of professionals in the field to find out what it is and how it can be treated. Continue to read to see what we found.
There is a type of depression that is characterized by seasonal patterns. It is most common during the fall and winter season.
Lindsay George says that a lot of people present with what looks to be symptoms of depression when they have Seasonal Affective Disorders. What distinguishes this type of mood disorder from depression or winter blues?
In the spring and summer months, George says thatSAD will essentially disappear.
Differences in your sleep pattern are possible. George said, "You sleep more." It's hard to get up and out in the morning. Your sleep pattern is disrupted while you are depressed. It's possible to wake up in the middle of the night.
According to research published in the Somnologie journal, the decrease in sunlight during the darker months of the year can lead to a state of depression. There is a chance that this is because of our eyes. The non-visual ways in which we respond to light are thought to be controlled by these photoreceptors.
A dip in sunlight and the length of melatonin's release are thought to be part of the reason for the drop in Serotonin.
Major depression is one of the signs and symptoms of SAD. These symptoms come and go with the season.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are symptoms ofSAD.
The director of child and adolescent Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital said that people tend to feel the symptoms in the autumn and winter. It lifts in the spring.
In the summer months, SAD can affect people, and they might have symptoms.
SAD sufferers go through a cycle of depression followed by a time when they are symptom free.
It is normal to have a day when you are down. If you feel down for days at a time and you can't shake it, you should see your primary care physician, especially if you have a problem with sleep or if you want to die.
A person must meet certain criteria in order to be diagnosed with the disease.
In most cases, it starts in adolescence. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 15 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of depression.
Women are more likely to suffer from this form of depression. It is more likely to affect those living in the northern latitudes, where there are less daylight hours in the winter, compared to those living in the southern latitudes.
The National Institute of Mental Health states that this form of depression is more common in people with a mental illness.
One therapy may be more effective than another for a person with the disease.
Light therapy can be done from a light box for 30 minutes in the mornings. It has a fluorescent bulb.
You sit a short distance from the box. It can help people with winter depression. Within a couple of days, they will say, they have more energy and they feel better.
Doctors advise sufferers to get medical advice before they try light therapy on their own. It's best to work with an expert because a doctor can prescribe how and when to use it.
If light therapy helps, a person should see their symptoms improve within 3 to 4 weeks.
Depression sufferers may be prescribed antidepressants by doctors. Bupropion is one of the drugs that is prescribed for SAD. A patient might not see the full benefits of a medication for several weeks.
People with depression may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. People are asked to identify negative thoughts during therapy. They are taught how to modify and manage negative thoughts.
Light therapy and antidepressants don't work as well as cognitive behavioral therapy. If you use it this year, you're less likely to have a bad winter.
The first-line treatments for people withSAD are light therapy, antidepressants, and a combination of these approaches.
Doctors recommend that these people try to get as much natural daylight as possible by walking outside or sitting near windows. Staying connected with family and friends and exercising can help with the symptoms of the disease.
The benefits of mind-body therapies such as yoga, meditation and guided imagery are seen by other people.
It's a good idea to speak with a doctor before trying any of the remedies that may interfere with your medication.
The trial-and-error period to find the right primary treatment for an individual is a challenge that could be solved by current research.
There is a difference in the function of the human eye in SAD. She and her team measure the light's effect on the sufferers' eyes. It is possible to get relief to future sufferers faster.
There are additional resources available.
Get help if you have suicidal thoughts. You can call the toll-free National suicide prevention hotline.
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