Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - Symptoms and signs

Home > Seasonal Affective Disorder - Signs and symptoms

The most important aspect of symptoms of seasonal affective disorder are in their cyclic occurrence, appearing in autumn, lasting through winter and disappearing in spring.

Mild depression start with the start of autumn.
With the progress of the winter the seasonal affective disorder worsens with severe depression.
With appearance of spring the condition improves and the depression disappears.
The individual becomes healthy and perfectly normal.

Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder

The symptoms of the winter-onset depression are as follows.

• lack of energy
• tired feeling
• lethargy
• sleepiness
• disturbed sleep
• oversleeping without getting refreshed
• change in individual's sleep patterns
• requiring afternoon naps
• loss of libido
• anxiety
• stress
• tension
• phobias
• melancholy
• feeling of guilt
• feeling of despair
• depression
• hopelessness
• irritability
• pains
• headaches
• palpitation
• social withdrawal
• weeping
• mood swings
• craving for sweets and starchy food
• weight gain
• apathy
• lack of concentration
• loss of interest in group activities
• menstrual problems

Some people apart from the winter-onset disorder, get it in the summer also. This is reverse disorder. The differentiation is as follows.

• bursts of energy
• increased and annoying social activity
• symptoms of elevated moods
• hyperactivity
• over enthusiasm

Some people experience the opposite of winter pattern. They get summer-onset disorder, the depression starting with the onset of spring. Some of the indicators are as follows.

• insomnia
• poor appetite
• weight loss
• increased libido
• anxiety
• irritability
• mental agitation
• weeping

This disorder must be diagnosed and treated, as in severe cases the individuals may get suicidal tendencies.

Related posts

• Seasonal affective disorder (winter depression, winter blues)
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment - therapy
• Bright light therapy

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Seasonal affective disorder treatment

Home > Seasonal affective disorder - treatment

Treatment for seasonal affective disorder is in restoring the normal brain biochemical reactions of the affected individual.

Seasonal affective disorder is somatopsychic condition wherein physical factors like change in brain chemistry and psychological stressful conditions due to short days contribute to melancholy and winter depression.

The procedure is to make the affected person to understand disorder and face it with positive and cheerful attitude.

Treatment of this disorder involves efforts to increase the serotonin levels and decrease the melatonin production.

There are a number of devices for daylight simulation, dawn simulation and ionisation of air available.

Antidepressant medicines are available for of winter depression and disorder, which help by increasing the production of serotonin and for decreasing the production of melatonin.

In extreme cases psychiatric treatment is advised as suicidal tendencies may arise due seasonal affective disorder.

Devices for seasonal affective disorder treatment:

Bright light for winter depression

The benefits of bright light in the treatment of winter depression has been proved in actual conditions and it is in vogue for several years.

There is drastic improvement in the seasonal affective disorder condition within a week on treatment.

However this must be continued throughout the winter depression season, as the condition reappears with the stopping of the medication.

For this lightbox is used. Various brands are available in the market and it is better to take the advice of physician in the selection of the right light box and treatment schedule for winter depression.

The light used for treatment must be preferably full spectrum light or white light and blue light also can be used. Ultra-violet ray filter must be used during exposure.

The light from tanning beds must never be used for the treatment, as it contains harmful UV rays.

Light doses of 2000-10000 lux can be used and the sitting sessions must be between 30-60 minutes.

The patient affected by winter depression is made to sit facing the light but direct gazing at the light must be avoided. It is always preferable to undergo the treatment for seasonal affective disorder in the morning.

Rare side effects like headache, eye strain and insomnia may be experienced during the winter depression treatment.

Dawn simulation has been found to be effective in tackling seasonal affective disorder

Irrespective of the shortening of the day the dawn simulator is used to light up at particular time.

It has controls for switching on the light at particular time and also has devices to increases the intensity of light, simulating dawn.

Bright light exposure must be continued throughout the winter depression season to avoid relapse of symptoms of withdrawal. Good results are achieved on continued use.

Negative air ionizing systems can be effectively used for seasonal affective disorder

This device releases negatively charged particles into the air.

If the negative ions are in sufficient density there is relief from the ailment and the energy levels of the affected person is improved.

Use of antidepressant medicines for seasonal affective disorder

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) like paroxetine, venlafaxine, sertraline or fluoxetine are prescribed for the relief from the disorder.

These antidepressants for the disorder must be used under the prescription of the medical doctor and in the right dosage prescribed by him.

There will be appreciable results in a week or two in these clinic visits. The treatment for the disorder must carry on for the winter depression season.

The administration of melatonin at correct times has been found to cure seasonal affective disorder.

Psychotherapy for the seasonal affective disorder affected

Persons affected severely require to be counselled by a psychiatrist as they may become violent, maniac and develop suicidal tendencies.

The moods and mental attitudes of winter depression patient must be pepped up with regular counselling and advice.

Depending upon the condition of the depression patient two or more methods can be used under medical supervision.

In some cases skin illumination has been found to be effective for of seasonal affective disorder and this requires further research.

Related posts

• Seasonal affective disorder.
• Causes of the disorder.
• Signs and symptoms of the disorder.
• Diagnosis.
• Bright light treatment for the disorder.

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Causes of seasonal affective disorder - SAD - winter depression

Home > Causes of SAD

The causes of SAD are not fully understood but factors like living in higher latitudes, reduced daylight, low temperatures, hormone regulation and short days seem to be causes the disorder.

Bright light induces certain chemical changes in brain and stimulates hypothalamus, a part of the brain responsible for controlling sleep, appetite and mood.

Lack of sufficient light reverses the chemical process in the brain affecting our mood, sleep and activeness. These changes lead to SAD depression.

Disturbed circadian rhythm and SAD disorder

Circadian rhythm or our biological clock regulates our sleep and wakefulness.

The reduction of daylight in fall and winter disrupts the sleep pattern causing depression.

Reduction in the levels of serotonin and SAD depression

Serotonin is a natural chemical found in the brain which being a neurotransmitter has the ability to affect our sleep, appetite and mood.

The levels of serotonin are affected by sunlight and reduced daylight means reduced production of serotonin.

This results in the ineffective transmission of signals from the nerves to brain and causes the disorder.

Affected persons produce less serotonin in fall and winter.

Increase in the secretion of melatonin

Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain controls our sleep pattern.

In darkness the gland produces melatonin, helping us to sleep.

In the daylight the production of the hormone is reduced and we wake up. Persons affected by winter blues have been found to produce more melatonin in the reduced sunlight period.

Genetic causes of SAD

Possibility of genetic transmission is suggested in the results of research work on this disorder.

Close relatives and siblings of the SAD patients have been found to develop this depression.

Related posts

• SAD disorder and depression.
• Signs and symptoms.
• Diagnosis.
• Treatment - therapy.
• Bright light therapy.

Current topic:
Causes of SAD disorder and depression.

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SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder - Winter Depression

Home > SAD - Winter depression

SAD, which is also known as winter depression is a medical condition causing depressed moods with the advent of shortened daylight in fall and winter.

SAD is a form of mood depression occurring in relation to the changing seasons especially with the beginning of fall and snow fall. The same persons are active and normal during rest of the year.

In some rare instances SAD occurs in some individuals in spring or in early summer and is called Reverse SAD.

This winter disorder  is more common in people living in higher latitudes away from the equator. Its occurrence is linked to colder and shorter days. It often occurs in the same time year after year.

Signs and symptoms of SAD start around the beginning of September and get worse in the months of December, January and February when the days are shortest.

With the onset of spring, usually, the condition improves and winter disorder symptoms disappear.

The person with depression blues feels lethargic, tired, depressed, stressed, sleepy, unhappy and less sociable. He has little energy and craves for starchy foods and sweets.

In United States nearly 10% of the population may be suffering from SAD. Up to 10% of Alaska residents suffer from this disorder.

In UK up to 10% of the population is affected by various degrees of SAD.

It is estimated that Netherlands has up to 10% of its population suffering from SAD.

An estimated 20% of Irish population suffers from this disorder.

Greater number of people may be suffering from subclinical and sub-syndromic disorder.

This disorder affects twice the number of women than men. Though persons of all age groups can be affected this mood depression is more common among the age group of 20-30 years.

Very rarely children and young adults below 20 years are affected by this depression. With old-age the risk of SAD decreases.

It is also found that many of the affected persons have one or more close relatives and siblings with psychiatric conditions, pointing to the possibility of genetic and hereditary angle for this winter disorder.

SAD - bright light therapy lamp (enlarge)

There are a number of medications and treatments available now for treating this depression.

Light therapy with exposure to bright lights, administration of ionised air, psychotherapy, antidepressant medicines and melatonin hormone supplementation have been found to be effective in treating winter SAD.

Related topics:
Bright light therapy.
Causes.
Signs and symptoms.
Diagnosis.
Treatment and therapy.

Current topic:
SAD depression and winter.

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