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What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

    By: Kassandra Lora

    Once the seasons change from fall to winter and the days become shorter, some individuals may notice a change in their moods. Some of these mood changes may be a slight feeling of being “down” but other times, these mood changes can be more severe and can have a significant effect on a person. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that usually affects a person once the seasons are changing. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer; this is known as winter-pattern SAD or winter depression.” It is not as common for someone to develop SAD symptoms during the spring and summer months, although it is still possible.

    Some significant depression symptoms may include:

    •           feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day

    •           losing interest in activities

    •           changes in appetite or weight

    •           having problems with sleep

    •           having low energy

    •           feeling worthless or hopeless

    •           having difficulty concentrating

    •           having frequent thoughts of death or suicide.

    Although Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression, to develop the diagnosis of having SAD, you must have the symptoms of major depression or must have some of the symptoms listed above. You must also have these depressive episodes occur to you during a specific season for a least two consecutive years.

    Individuals who are more susceptible to developing SAD are more commonly those who live further north. Furthermore, according to the Nation Institute of Mental Health, “SAD is more common in people with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, especially bipolar II disorder, which is associated with recurrent depressive and hypomanic episodes.” SAD is also more commonly found in women than men.

    Seasonal Affective Disorder is a severe condition, though scientists cannot understand what exactly causes SAD. Scientists have done the research and have suggested that people with SAD may have reduced serotonin activity, regulating mood. Researchers have also indicated how lack of sunlight in people with SAD can affect their serotonin levels, affecting their mood. Although these are all possible causes and effects which determined why individuals may have SAD it is still unclear if these are the exact reason. However, these causes and effects can be useful when focusing on treatment.Treatments that may help people with SAD include light therapy, psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, and vitamin D.

    Speak to your health care provider about which treatment or combination is most suitable for you. If you or someone you know is struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices.

    Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml

    Image Source: https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2019/03/how-i-learned-cope-seasonal-affective-disorder-grad-school

    Seasonal Depression

    GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

    Seasonal Depression

    Seasonal Affective Disorder

    By: Julia Keys

    Seasonal Depression, clinically known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, affects about five percent of American adults annually. SAD is a type of depression where the weather and seasonal changes causes one to feel depressed. SAD symptoms most commonly flare up around the late fall to the early spring months. During this time of the year, the sun is out shorter and its rays are less intense. Psychologists hypothesize that the lack of sunlight contributes to SAD by affecting healthy hormonal balances. Although most cases of SAD occur during the late fall to early spring seasons, some people do have seasonal depression during the warmer spring and summer months. Studies show that alcohol consumption and depression go hand-in-hand, which can be particularly harmful when suffering from SAD.

    Symptoms of SAD:

    • Feeling of sadness or depressed mood
    • Lack of motivation
    • Marked loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
    • Changes in appetite; usually eating more, craving carbohydrates
    • Change in sleep; usually sleeping too much
    • Loss of energy or increased fatigue despite increased sleep hours
    • Increase in restless activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech
    • Feeling worthless or guilty
    • Trouble concentrating or making decisions
    • Thoughts of death or suicide or attempts at suicide

    Fortunately, there are many different treatments to help those with SAD reduce their symptoms. Psychotherapy and medication are helpful for those suffering from SAD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT helps patients change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors that may contribute to their symptoms. Psychiatrists most often prescribe antidepressants such as Lexapro or Prozac to help those with SAD. A new type of therapy, light therapy, has proven to help those with SAD by exposing them to artificial light which takes the place of the light they are missing on short fall or winter days. One usually sits in front of the light box for about twenty minutes each morning. Patients usually start feeling better after two to three weeks of light therapy. In addition to the services professionals can provide to help, there are lifestyle choices that one can make to lessen the effects of SAD such as avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting regular exercise, getting a healthy amount of sleep and eating a healthy diet.

    If you or someone you know is struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder, please contact Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy, located in New York and New Jersey to speak to a licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners or psychotherapists. To contact the office in Paramus NJ, call (201) 368-3700. To contact the office in Manhattan, call (212) 722-1920. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/ .

     

    Sources:

    https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/seasonal-affective-disorder

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/199809/here-comes-the-sun

    Source for Picture:

    https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=561&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=3zf1XODXGKqIgge05bqIAw&q=the+seasons&oq=the+seasons&gs_l=img.3..0l10.17148.18466..18764…0.0..0.91.895.11……0….1..gws-wiz-img…….35i39j0i67.xG7jW6j8pr0#imgrc=Gwz-hlum6tNV_M:

     

     

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

    GalleryJudy Gurfein 2 Comments

    By: Estephani Diaz

    Summer is officially over, which means kids are back in school and sweater weather is around the corner. Pumpkin spice is back on the menu at coffee shops, and no more unbearable 90 degree weather. For some, the fall season is the best time of the year, but for others, the change of season can be a complete mood change.

    About three million will be faced with Seasonal Affective Disorder, known as SAD, this year in the U.S. alone. It is a type of depression that comes from the change in weather at the end of the year. When the days become shorter, many become depressed, lose interest in activities, over sleep, have thoughts of suicide, etc. Others will gain weight, have low energy, and even turn into “hibernation mood.”

    SAD is treatable with therapy, psychotherapy, and medication, if needed. There are also things you can do at home to brighten up your day: open your window blinds to let sunlight in, socialize with friends, go out to eat, exercise daily, get enough sleep, fragrance diffuser, etc. In addition, one could look forward to the holidays to get their minds off the cold weather.

    If you or someone you know is suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/.