A change in season not only affects the immune system but also affects the cortisol and melatonin levels. Usually, these changes are mostly noticed during the transition phase of the season, and most people who face such a problem recover with the onset of summer or winter.
However, some people face insomnia, loss of appetite, and other symptoms during the early winter season and recover by the end of the spring season. Such a kind of depression is known as seasonal affective disorder.
Some people feel low during the entire winter season or gain weight; this kind of mild seasonal depression is known as winter blues. In this article, you will get to know about seasonal depression symptoms, causes, and remedies, so let’s begin the journey.
Seasonal Depression Symptoms
The American Psychiatric Association has listed seasonal affective disorder in the list of depressive disorders and also featured some symptoms. If you are noticing some key seasonal depression symptoms, which are listed below, then don’t take it lightly, and try to consult healthcare professionals.
- You will feel sad throughout the day and even lack interest in your day-to-day activities.
- You will feel low energy, and most of the time, you will prefer to sleep.
- Sleeping too much and a lack of energy will result in a loss of concentration.
- You may feel a craving for food that is rich in carbohydrates and sugar, which will increase your weight.
If you have noticed these seasonal affective disorder symptoms, then let’s see the causes behind them.
Seasonal Depression Causes
Researchers are still figuring out the prime reasons behind the seasonal depression, but theories suggest that there are multiple causes of SAD Disorder, so let’s see them.
- Role of Serotonin in Seasonal Depression
You might be familiar with the fact that our nerve cells need signals to function effectively, and Serotonin is such a neurotransmitter that plays this role and keeps our mood happy.
However, if you have a low level of serotonin, then you may be at risk of seasonal affective disorder. Additionally, sunlight also plays a key role in regulating serotonin levels, and a lack of sunlight in the winter season may make the situation even worse.
- Spike in Melatonin Level
If you are not a medical student, then it will be quite surprising to know that there is a hormone in our body that signals about darkness, which means this hormone, known as melatonin, maintains our sleeping cycle.
If you have a high level of melatonin, then you will feel sleepy all day, and that may affect your sleeping cycle, which will result in SAD Disorder.
- Lack of Vitamin D in the Body
Hormones need Vitamin D for smooth functioning in your body, and the best source is sunlight.
But, in the winter season, sunlight is less, which affects the functioning of hormones, including serotonin and melatonin, and that results in mood swings, sleeping disorders, and ultimately leads to seasonal depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatments
After knowing the prime causes for seasonal depression, it will be easier to understand the treatments for the same. But make sure not to try them, as it is always advisable to consult your mental healthcare professional. They will examine your symptoms and, based on that, will decide whether it’s a seasonal affective disorder or mood swings.
1. Seasonal Affective Disorder Lamp Therapy
Psychiatrists treat this bright light for seasonal depression therapy for winter-SAD patients, and in this therapy, a person suffering from winter seasonal depression has to sit in front of the bright light for half an hour every day in the morning.
The brightness of such a light box is 10,000 lux, which is quite higher than that of ordinary light. So, a person going through certain eye problems or taking medications should apply seasonal depression lamp therapy under medical supervision.
2. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or mental health counseling is one of the seasonal affective disorder treatments that helps people with SAD to change their way of thinking and habits.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a popular Psychotherapy and one of the best seasonal affective disorder therapies that helps people get rid of negative thoughts.
In this therapy, a group session is usually conducted where multiple activities are performed to ease people suffering from seasonal anxiety and depression.
3. Medications
One of the effective seasonal affective disorder treatments on the list is the antidepressant medication that is provided by mental healthcare professionals.
The medications usually control the production of hormones that help in improving sleep order, mood lifts, and concentration level. But it is always advisable to take medication under the supervision of mental healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
Seasonal affective disorder occurs due to a change in seasons, such as the arrival of winter or summer, and it happens due to changes in hormone levels and other reasons. The common SAD symptoms are oversleeping, hopelessness, and more. But some effective seasonal affective disorder treatments help people get rid of SAD.
However, if you are not sure whether it’s a mood swing or SAD, then you can consult The Holding Hands. It offers a comprehensive mental healthcare service that helps people get rid of anxiety, depression, and other stress.
The Holding Hands retains healthcare professionals who have years of experience in giving people a better life by offering therapies, sessions, and more.
FAQs
1] Does seasonal depression exist in the modern world?
Yes, seasonal depression really exists in the present world, and it does not fall in the category of major diseases, so no need to get afraid or feel nervous about this disorder. It can be easily cured with therapy sessions and medications.
2] What are the SAD symptoms, and how to make sure I’m not going through this disorder?
Most people think that mood swings can be a SAD disorder, but it’s not completely true. Mood swings can happen due to multiple reasons, but seasonal depression mostly occurs during the change of season, where a change in hormones takes place. So, to make sure whether you are suffering from mood swings or SAD disorder, you can consult The Holding Hands.
3] Are there any seasonal affective disorder treatments?
Yes, there are some key treatments that help people get rid of SAD Disorder, and the common treatments are seasonal affective disorder lamp therapy, CBT, antidepressant medications, and more.
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