For 1 to 2% of the population, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a severe health problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It takes a toll on multiple aspects of peoples’ lives, including their temper, energy, hunger, and sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to learn more about this condition, you’ve come to the right place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To control that emotional and physical instability every change in season, you need to know exactly what you are dealing with. That’s why we decided to make a detailed guide for living with this seasonal depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seasonal affective disorder is a unique type of depression<\/a> that appears at a specific period of the year. For example, it can begin in autumn, worsen in early winter, and subside in spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women are more susceptible to this depressive disorder than men. It occurs 4 times more often in the female population between the ages of 18 and 30. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, people experience drastic mood changes during the winter months. Patients with rare forms of this affective disorder experience it in the early days of summer. Their symptoms can end in autumn. It can be a debilitating disorder to live with. But, it is still possible for SAD sufferers to function to their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The symptoms of this seasonal depression are relatively easy to recognize. They are often the same for everyone. The only difference is the intensity depending on the season. They can range from severe to mild symptoms<\/a> but will eventually subside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These SAD symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to research, the intensity will vary based on the patient’s seasonal pattern<\/a>. They are commonly less prevalent in summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People who usually get winter SAD tend to have increased sleep and oversleep. They can experience carbohydrate craving<\/a> and weight gain. While individuals who have spring or summer SAD are vulnerable to consistent weight loss, poor appetite, insomnia, anxiety, and agitation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, some patients experience constant agitation, restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia<\/a>. In these severe cases, it is possible to have episodes of violent behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The exact causes of this particular affective disorder remain unknown. However, scientists believe certain factors may contribute to the symptoms. These factors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The younger generation is more vulnerable to this seasonal depression than older adults. But, age is not the only risk factor. Other contributors might make people more susceptible to this health complication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ufeffIt is important that you understand them so you will have an easier time managing the disorder. Here are a couple of factors you should know about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not everyone takes the depressive symptoms<\/a> seriously. But, if you don’t get the necessary treatment, you risk worsening your condition. That’s where these complications will start taking a toll on your physical and mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be prone to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children can also be affected. But, it is a lot more common among teenagers and young adults. What’s important is that you understand the condition and try to get on-time treatment before you develop any severe health complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like any medical condition, SAD comes with plenty of misconceptions. If you want to control your mental and emotional health, you need to understand these misconceptions and learn the truth. Here are the most popular myths debunked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people mistake seasonal affective disorder for the “winter blues.” These terms are regularly used interchangeably. However, the “winter blues” represent feeling a little down during winter, just like a winter depression. These feelings subside relatively quickly and rarely come back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This affective disorder is different. It’s a reoccurring major depressive disorder that’s a lot more impactful than just a simple mood change. It’s a clinical diagnosis, which requires consistent treatment, psychiatric evaluation, and adequate therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people experience this disorder at the end of the year. However, some patients can experience it when it’s still hot outside. Although it impacts just 1% of the affected population, reverse SAD is possible. It is a summer depression that causes a range of different health complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The majority of affective disorder patients are female. But, men can also experience this disorder. Anyone can get affected, regardless of background, age, or gender. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When the season changes, so do the symptoms of the affective disorder. Patients usually get back to normal and continue their daily routines. Their mood improves, and their depression subsides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since there are multiple types of depression, it is hard for patients to properly diagnose their affective disorder. That’s why it’s crucial to contact a mental health professional. Only a doctor will determine if you have a seasonal affective disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You won’t need to take any medical tests to get a diagnosis. To identify the problem, a doctor will ask a couple of questions. First, they will ask for how long you’ve had the symptoms. You will need to talk about the severity and their impact on your daily life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After that, it’s crucial to point out if you noticed a change in your eating and sleep pattern. With the behavior change, it is easy to figure out if you have the disorder. But, the most important question is whether you notice these symptoms at different seasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The seasonal affective disorder happens at a certain time of the year. If your health issues are reoccurring, you will probably be diagnosed with the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most SAD patients use a combination of light therapy, antidepressants, counseling, and vitamin D supplements<\/a>. But, only a doctor can determine the best possible treatment for your particular condition. Here is a brief overview of the most popular treatment options for affective disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of therapy is one of the most used complementary treatments for SAD. The therapy is known for soothing the symptoms, stabilizing the mental illness, and managing the depressive episode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the type of SAD triggers, doctors can suggest different approaches to light therapy. Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, uses artificial lights that mimic sunlight. It is designed to provide affective disorder relief and calm the symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Patients need to sit in front of a lightbox (light therapy box) at a specific part of the day from 20 to 60 min. The therapy will last shorter if patients also take any antidepressants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The affective disorder is very similar to major depression. Since it affects the human system’s serotonin activity, the body needs to replenish those sources to get back on track. That’s where antidepressants can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Antidepressant medication has become the go-to choice for treating this particular disorder. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are mainly prescribed to patients with this disorder. Second generation medication like Prozac (fluoxetine) may come in handy. When combined with light therapy, Prozac can have some amazing properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a cost-effective and well-tolerated drug. One study showed that with the only 150mg to 300mg of Prozac before the onset of the disorder, people managed to reduce the prevalence of a major depressive episode<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Counseling is critical for individuals with this affective disorder. Talk therapy will become an invaluable strategy when living with seasonal affective disorder. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy could prove useful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This therapy can break down all the problems and help patients understand the negative patterns of their disorder. With proper counseling therapy sessions, you will learn how to mitigate the poor energy<\/a> and SAD mood. If the symptoms are not too severe, you will also have an easier time managing the stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Are the <\/strong>Symptoms<\/strong> of <\/strong>Seasonal <\/strong>Affective <\/strong>Disorder<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nWhat Are the Causes of <\/strong>Seasonal <\/strong>Affective <\/strong>Disorder<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Risk Factors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Based on reports,<\/a> in the U.S., only 1% of the population in Florida has a seasonal affective disorder. While over 9% in Alaska are living with the condition. In Canada, 2% to 6% of the population have SAD. Similar statistics were recorded in the United Kingdom, with 2% of the population dealing with the disorder.
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These people will only be diagnosed with affective disorder if their depression or bipolar disorder worsens during a specific season every year. However, individuals with seasonal bipolar disorder often need different forms of treatment than SAD sufferers.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nComplications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nMisconceptions Surrounding <\/strong>Seasonal <\/strong>Affective <\/strong>Disorder<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
“Winter Blues” And SAD Are the Same<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SAD Happens Just In Winter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Only Women Get SAD<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Patients With SAD Suffer the Entire Year<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Seasonal Affective Disorder Trea<\/strong>tment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Seasonal affective disorder light therapy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Antidepressants<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Counseling Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n