Seasonal Affective Disorder
Normally, different seasons bring different emotions in the lives of people. For some people, these changes are greater than just something temporary: they experience Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. While it is commonly referred to as the “winter blues,” SAD is a severe type of depression that occurs during the winter season, towards the fall.
At Orlando Treatment Solutions, we understand how depression and seasonal affective disorder can affect your life. Enjoy the warmth of our professional care, and learn about the nature of seasonal affective disorder, with which it may be possible to cope in a friendly atmosphere.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
SAD is a recurrent form of depression marked by symptoms that appear in a particular season such as winter, when there are short days. In some cases, SAD can also occur in spring or summer, although it is rarely reported in these seasons.
Depression is not just a state of being sad when it is raining outside. It is an affirmed depressive disorder that is characterized by seasonal patterned episodes of depression. It can alter emotions, levels of energy and fatigue, appetite, and mental and physical efficacy. SAD is a type of major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern. This means it is exactly like the other types of depression but reoccurs annually, every year.
What are the Symptoms of SAD?
Seasonal affective disorder signs and signals are akin to those of other types of depressions but are related to changes in season. The symptoms are most often manifested in the autumn and in the winter season. As mentioned, depending on the location, it can occur all year round, but in some cases, symptoms can manifest in spring or summer specifically.
Common Winter-Onset SAD Symptoms:
- Persistent sadness or low mood
- Lack of interest in activities that are previously considered interesting
- Low energy and fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased appetite and carbohydrate craving
- Weight gain
- Oversleeping or disturbed sleep patterns
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Spring/Summer-Onset SAD Symptoms:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety or agitation
- Poor appetite and weight loss
- Increased irritability
Whereas, in severe levels of parapsychology, violent episodes have been reported among the patients and inmates.
It can hamper your activities in your daily life, family, and job. For a candidate or whoever the reader is, suffering from SAD, the major step that has to be taken is to pay a visit to a mental health practitioner.
How is SAD Diagnosed?
A doctor or other healthcare professional will assess your signs, other conditions, and past behavior to find out whether you have SAD, seasonal affective disorder. Diagnostic tools may include:
- Clinical interviews
- Mental health assessments
- Survey questions that reflect changes in mood and behaviour in different seasons
Some of the basic tests include blood tests to determine whether there are some underlying factors such as Vitamin D deficiency.
Gradual procedures make the Orlando Treatment Solutions a distinguished place providing increased accuracy of diagnosis in combination with the approach in each case made by our qualified clinicians and the individually tailored treatment course.
How is SAD Treated?
1. Light Therapy (Phototherapy)
Light therapy is one of the most effective and most often advised seasonal affective disorder treatments. This includes the use of specially made light box that imitates sunlight.
How it works: Lying in front of a 10,000-lux light box for approximately 20–30 minutes in the mornings can help regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycle and mood.
Benefits: Increases energy, lowers irritability and sadness related to seasonal affective disorder 1–2 weeks.
Light therapy is usually the primary treatment for SAD seasonal affective disorder when symptoms are not severe.
2. Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
The favorite evidence-based seasonal affective disorder treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Focus: Helps people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that accompany the depression seasonal affective disorder.
CBT-SAD: A specific version of CBT which includes techniques designed to suit the distinctive patterns of seasonal depression.
Psychotherapy may prove especially useful when coupled with other, alternative treatments, such as light therapy or drugs.
3. Medication
Seasonal affective disorder medication is thus necessary for individuals with moderate to severe seasonal affective order symptoms.
Common medications: Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like, sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), and bupropion (Wellbutrin XL).
Preventive use: In some instances though antidepressants are started in the fall and carried through the spring.
Some medications will stabilize mood and diminish symptoms even if light therapy is not effective.
4. Vitamin D Supplementation
And people with SAD seasonal affective disorder, have low levels of vitamin D.
Why it helps: Vitamin D plays a role in the regulation of mood and immune function.
How to use: Blood tests can diagnose deficiency, and you may be given supplements by your doctor.
Although treatment for seasonal affective disorder is treated as an independent one, vitamin D can complement other seasonal affective disorder therapies.
5. Lifestyle Changes & Self-Care
Some habits can be adopted into your routine to enhance your entire mental health and ease some symptoms of seasonal affective disorder:
Regular exercise increases serotonin and endorphins.
Spend time outside – the natural light is good, even on cloudy days.
Have a balanced diet – nutrient-rich food can help you regulate your mood.
Keep social links – isolation makes seasonal affective disorder worse.
CALL US NOW
Orlando Treatment Solutions will iron out the details for you in a manner that will make you confident in your path to sobriety. That first simple call is your ticket to making Orlando Treatment Solutions your solution for addiction. Get the freedom from addiction that you deserve today.
Contact Orlando Treatment Solutions Today
The treatment of patients with SAD is provided at Orlando Treatment Solutions where patients receive comprehensive and understanding care. In every stage, beginning with diagnosis and through the healing process, we are here to support you with qualified and compassionate professionals.
The first step in standing a chance to feel any better, however, lies in one’s attitude. So, if you or your loved one shows symptoms of SAD, do not hope that the situation will worsen.
To speak to one of our representatives or set up an initial appointment, then you should call Orlando Treatment Solutions at (321) 415-3213 or visit our website.
