Holiday festivities may be in full swing, but this time of year isn’t necessarily full of life. For people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the change of seasons can bring about big changes in mood, sleep, and energy levels.
What is seasonal affective disorder?
Rather than that, standalone In diagnosis, SAD is currently considered a subtype of relapsing disease. major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder it is seasonal pattern. This means that the symptoms of depression occur during a specific season or period and last for a long period of time. About 4-5 months. Symptoms most commonly begin in late fall or early winter. This is known as winter SAD.
However, although it is less common, some people experience SAD. summer pattern S.A.D. Symptoms begin in late spring or early summer and diminish later in the year.
Symptoms of SAD
Symptoms of SAD vary from person to person and depend on whether the pattern of symptoms is affected by winter or summer. Also, it doesn’t necessarily appear every year.
However, there are a few. symptoms Things that can affect both groups include: low energy. Decreased concentration. Loss of interest or pleasure in things you once enjoyed. Feelings of guilt or despair. And frustrated.
People with summer SAD are experience symptoms Symptoms include sleep disturbances and loss of appetite, but people with winter types may experience symptoms such as excessive sleep and an increased appetite for carbohydrates.
Causes and risk factors
accurate cause Although the cause of SAD is unknown, the underlying mental health condition is complex and no single cause exists. However, the theory that changes in sunlight exposure may be a contributing factor is widespread.
For example, sunlight has a profound effect on our body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which controls many functions in our bodies. It is thought that exposure to sunlight is generally lower during the winter, which can disrupt the body’s internal clock and cause symptoms of winter SAD.
It has also been theorized that SAD patients may have altered levels of two important molecules in their bodies: serotonin and melatonin (synthesized in the body from serotonin). Although both are involved in sleep, serotonin also plays an important role in regulating mood.
The idea is that people with winter SAD may have decreased serotonin levels and/or may be producing more melatonin than normal, which can disrupt the body’s normal rhythms and cause fatigue and mood. This means that symptoms such as depression may be caused.
SAD also appears to have certain risk factors. For example, women are considered: more generally Men are more susceptible, as are people who already suffer from depression or bipolar disorder. It is also I thought It occurs more often in people who live far from the equator, due to the fact that daylight hours are significantly shorter in autumn and winter.
process
Perhaps one of the most well-known approaches to treating SAD is light therapy. This means exposure to sunlight. If that is not possible, this means using a medically approved light box or “SAD lamp” as is often advertised.
However, the British national health servicecites light therapy as a potential treatment, but also says there is mixed evidence as to whether it is actually effective.
For example, recent meta-analysis Among 19 randomized controlled trials, we found evidence to suggest that light therapy is effective in the short term, but the quality of the evidence was not very high. Many of the studies had relatively small sample sizes and used different methodologies, making their results somewhat less reliable. The authors call for larger clinical trials and further investigation into the effectiveness of long-term SAD treatment.
Antidepressants may also be prescribed. processHowever, be aware that it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks for full effects to occur, and for many people, finding the drug that works best for them may require some trial and error. is important. In addition, or alone, people with SAD may be offered psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
There are also a variety of patient-driven strategies that can help alleviate symptoms, such as taking care of your physical health, not taking on too many demands, and doing things that you know will help you feel better.
However, this does not mean that people have to suffer alone. If you think someone may have SAD, it’s important to talk to your health care provider. Seeking help early is an important part of recovery.
All ‘Explanation’ articles have been verified as correct by fact checkers at the time of publication. To keep information up to date, text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added at a later date.
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
If you or someone you know is suffering, help and support is available in the United States through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. The international helpline can be found at SuicideStop.com.
