A mood illness known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is defined by symptoms that appear at the same time every year, typically during the shorter, darker days of the fall and winter. Even while this illness normally goes away after a few months, it can have a significant effect on how someone feels and behaves.
A person's mood can change seasonally, which is not unusual. You may have observed that while a sunny day might make you feel upbeat and invigorated, a dark, rainy day can make you feel depressed and lethargic.
While the shorter, darker days that start in late fall are frequently correlated with an increase in SAD symptoms, the longer, sunny days of summer are frequently linked to higher moods.
Ø Symptoms
The SAD symptoms are cyclical, reoccurring every winter throughout the colder months. Some signs include:
Depression, fatigue, social disengagement, increased sleep, increased appetite, and carbohydrate cravings are just a few of the symptoms.
• weight gain
• Leaden feeling in the arms or legs
• increased weight
• Irritability
• Interpersonal issues (particularly rejection sensitivity)
Ø Causes
The body's normal circadian cycle is thought to be disturbed, which is thought to be the cause of the seasonal affective disorder. This rhythm is affected by the sun's rays entering through the eyes.
The tiredness we experience every day after sundown is caused by melatonin, a chemical that the pineal gland creates when it is dark. Melatonin production is halted when sunlight enters the eyes in the morning.
These regular rhythms may be disturbed during the shorter winter days, resulting in SAD symptoms. People may rise before dawn or stay in their offices until after dusk.
Additionally, there is evidence indicating a connection between SAD and decreased serotonin levels. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are antidepressants that boost the feel-good chemical serotonin (SSRIs).
Seasonal Affective Disorder | Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Ø Diagnosis
At least five of the following symptoms must be experienced for the majority of the two-week timeframe. Additionally, one of the first two items on the list must match at least one of the person's symptoms.
A depressed state brought on by a physical ailment, or one connected to the subject of a delusion or hallucination the individual is having, would not qualify.
• Problems with concentration thought, or decision-making
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Changes in appetite or weight not related to intentional dietary changes for the purpose of gaining or losing weight
• Too much or too little sleep
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Fatigue or lost energy
Ø Treatment
Treatment is effective for seasonal affective disorder. The most often prescribed medications for SAD are.
o Light Therapy
The greatest method of treating SAD at this moment is light therapy, which uses a machine that emits bright, white light.
• For light treatment utilizing a fluorescent lightbox, the recommended starting "dosage" is 10,000 lux for 30 minutes each day. (Alternatively, 2,500 lux light boxes need two hours of exposure each day.)
• To maximize therapeutic effectiveness, light therapy should be started as soon as a patient awakens in the morning.
• While most patients respond to light therapy within a week, some may take up to four weeks to do so.
• Headache, eyestrain, nausea, and agitation are common adverse effects of light treatment, but they are typically moderate, temporary, or go away when the amount of light is reduced.
Seasonal Affective Disorder | Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
o Psychotherapy
SAD can also be successfully treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), especially when combined with medication and light therapy. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), negative thought patterns that fuel symptoms are identified, and they are then swapped out for more uplifting ones.
o Vitamin D
According to research, persons with SAD frequently have low vitamin D levels.
As a result, it is frequently recommended to those who have the condition to boost their consumption of this vitamin through diet, sun exposure, or vitamin supplements.
Seasonal Affective Disorder | Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
