What is SAD? It is a type of depression that can happen during the winter. About 1 in 10 people have it. It’s more common among women than men. This blog post will help you understand what causes SAD so you can take steps to prevent or lessen its effects on your life.
While scientists have not yet pinpointed the exact cause of SAD, they do know that certain hormones are secreted from deep within our brains, and these change at different times throughout each year. It is believed by experts in this field known as Annual Hormonal Decline (AHD) theory – less sunlight during fall/ winter can lead to a person’s mood changing resulting in feelings of depression which may also come along with other symptoms such as fatigue weight gain. The good news? With early treatment, there has been a success rate of up to 90%!
Symptoms:
A profile of someone suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is that they typically sleep much more than usual, crave carbohydrates, and have many signs associated with depression including feeling sad or hopeless. The sufferer may also experience less energy, trouble concentrating etcetera – all the way down to being appetite-weightier! Thoughts about suicide are not uncommon either; for this reason, you must seek medical attention if suicidal thoughts occur so as not to compound anything further
A lot can change in just six months: One day your mood might be normal but by Christmas time things will shift again making life feel unbearable at times thanks to frequent changes in our hormones.
Diagnosis
The main feature of SAD is that your mood and behavior shift along with the calendar. It’s not a separate disorder, but rather one type of major depression or bipolar disorder; sometimes called major depression. You may have this condition if:
-You had periods where you experienced both severe episodes from depression or irritability during which it felt like normal seasons did not exist for a few months at a time (lesions in gray), followed by longer stretches without signs/symptoms present -In total over 2 years worth (~6 months each) throughout all 12 calendar phases.
Treatment
There are several things you can do to help yourself feel better. One is to focus on getting enough sunlight each day. If possible, try spending at least 30 minutes outside every day during the winter months. You should also aim for a balanced diet by including fruits and vegetables which will boost your mood naturally so it’s important to get the right amount of sleep each day, too. There are also plenty of treatments available including talk therapies and medication that can help reduce your symptoms more quickly! Ways to treat SAD are by focusing on getting enough sunlight every day, eating a balanced diet & taking the right amount of sleep, as well as talking with a medical professional
When should I talk to someone?
If your symptoms are so severe that they’re keeping you from being able to function normally in daily life-especially during the winter months-, it’s important to seek medical attention. If left untreated these cases can lead to more complicated conditions. Talk openly with your doctor about your feelings. Follow their recommendations for lifestyle changes and treatment. They can also make you aware of additional resources such as support groups and how to deal with this disorder.
We can help you schedule a telepsychiatry visit today. If you or someone else in your family has been experiencing the winter blues, it may be time to get some professional assistance. We are available for video-based appointments anytime, anywhere! You can self-schedule from our website www.TodayTelemedicine.com. Accepting new patients, major insurance, and affordable cash rates. Take a free SAD self-screener from our website under “Take A Quiz”.
