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
