Sunlight, even in the small jn that winter allows, can help boost serotonin levels and improve your depression. Such sessions provide support and advice to those when live with people with SAD. The kick difficult months for does with SAD in the U. Common symptoms of SAD include fatigue, even with too much sleep, and weight gain associated with overeating and seasonal cravings. Always consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and see the lifestyle changes outlined below for help to boost your mood un manage your depression symptoms.
Seasonal affective disorder SAD is now more commonly known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. It is a type of depression that tends to affect people who live in countries farther from the equator. It is most common during the winter months and tends to resolve in springtime. Other names for major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern include SAD, winter depression, and seasonal depression. In this article, we look at how this condition develops, who might be at risk, and the available treatment options.
If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Production of melatonin. Individuals who relocate to higher latitudes are more likely to be affected by SAD. Because of the anticipated return of symptoms in late fall, some people may begin light therapy in early fall to prevent symptoms. Comparative benefits and harms of complementary and alternative medicine therapies for initial treatment of major depressive disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis. The exact cause of this condition is not known, but evidence strongly suggests that, for those who are vulnerable to it, SAD is set off by changes in the availability of sunlight. For example, spending time outside or arranging your home or office so that you are exposed to a window during the day. SAD can be misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, infectious mononucleosis, and other viral infections, so proper evaluation is key.