Seasonal Affective Disorder is considered a form of depression called SAD, seasonal depression, or winter depression. In a recent report by the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), this disorder fell under the type of depression- Major Depressive Disorder with seasonal pattern.
DSM-5 has also changed the name of Seasonal Affective Disorder into Depressive Disorder with seasonal patterns. The new name given describes the condition more precisely. It is not really a distinctive disease instead the depression gets worse each year in the season of winter or late fall.
Reduced exposure to the sun can possibly cause SAD to occur. Approximately 10 million people in the United States get affected by it. Even after the large occurrence of SAD, a major population is unaware of its potential threats and triggers. It can also become deadly for some. Consult an expert at Specialty Care Clinics for the required treatment procedures.
Reduced exposure to the sun can possibly cause SAD to occur. Approximately 10 million people in the United States get affected by it. Even after the large occurrence of SAD, a major population is unaware of its potential threats and triggers. It can also become deadly for some. Consult an expert at Specialty Care Clinics for the required treatment procedures.
WHAT IS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER AND ITS EFFECT ON LIFE?
Seasonal Affective Disorder can be described as increased depression symptoms with seasonal changes. For people who got affected by seasonal affective disorder, their symptoms worsen each year towards winter or late fall. Multiple reasons are present that contribute to the development of these symptoms and different individuals can have different reactions.
As symptoms of SAD vary from person to person and also their intensity goes from mild to severe over a period of time if left untreated.
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or depressed mood
- Feeling lonely or isolated in a crowd
- Loss of interest or pleasure while doing any activities
- Unable to feel joy and an increased feeling of anhedonia
- Dreadful for the future or feeling of unworthiness to the world
- Trouble while concentrating or focusing on tasks
- Changes in appetite like eating more or craving carbohydrates
- Increased fatigue despite sleeping for long hours
- Intentionally choosing to be isolated from friends and family
- Feeling agitated or irritated, anxious, short-tempered, and heightened stress
- Wearing symptoms tends to hamper work, school, and relationships
- Thoughts of death and suicide
- Physical condition, medication use, or other conditions can not explain symptoms
- Symptoms can stay for a few weeks or a month and get consistent with seasonal shifts
SAD can start at any point but mostly it begins at the age of 18 and 30. Chronic pain as a risk factor or potential trigger can drive mental health issues for example anxiety, medical trauma, and depression. Seasonal disorders are sensitive to pain.
DO MOOD AND DEPRESSION AFFECT PAIN?
The brain receives many signals that form a link between the processing of signals and managing mood. Various chemicals present in the brain help in communication and also conscious or unconscious change. Sometimes, the sent signals get overlapped with each other causing changes in the mood.
The worsening condition includes the use of loads of medication to reduce the depression symptoms that cause pain and pain creating more issues in symptoms of the seasonal disorder. It is endless cycling if the treatment is not right. A better pain program is required here. With Specialty Care Clinics’ pain management program you can control the further worsening of the symptoms.
TREATMENT FOR SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
Light therapy, antidepressant medication, and talk therapy can be used alone or in combination to prevent the worsening of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Depressing symptoms take time to be alright on their own but these therapies can speed up the recovery process.
In light therapy, a person sits in front of the light therapy box which is emitting light filtering ultraviolet or any harmful rays. This process is repeated every morning for 20 to 30 minutes a day. Largely people see the results within one or two weeks of treatment due to which it is continued for the whole winter.
Talk therapy, particularly cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) improves the condition and has effective treatment. Sometimes, increased exposure to the sun and doing kinds of stuff that require going out in the sun also helps in managing the symptoms.
Do not adjust to the pain and try Specialty Care Clinics pain management program to reduce the symptoms of Seasonal Affective disorder also consult the doctor for Light therapy treatment. To book an appointment call (469) 545-9983.