What is Seasonal affective Disorder?
From the Mayo Clinic: Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, seasonal affective disorder causes depression in the spring or early summer. Don't brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own — you may have seasonal affective disorder. Treatment for seasonal affective disorder includes light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications. Addressing the problem can help you keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year. ================ There ARE lights out there that (mentioned in the 2nd paragraph) that simulate sunlight. A friend of mine thought she had SAD, although I think she just really preferred summer, but not for me to say (not a therapist). If you think you have SAD, see a therapist. Good luck to you!
Do I have seasonal affective disorder?
I feel like I fall under the symptoms of SAD: -Increase in appetite -Weight Gain -Low self esteem -Anger -Violence towards others I love -Depression -Low sleep patterns - Craving for carbohydrates. -Lack of energy -Difficulty on completing tasks; such as easy tasks or assignments -Get easily distracted -Feeling neglected and unwanted -Irritability
What are the symptoms of summertime SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and how do you combat them?
According to a brief moment of research,summer or reverse seasonal affective disorder is characterized more by irritability and agitation than the classic symptoms of depression. Some sources describe it as "manic." It's marked by an inability to sleep or relax. It is usually treated by avoiding bright lights, staying indoors, and taking an antidepressant under a doctor's supervision.Read more here:Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder: SAD in the Summerhttp://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wel...http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/08/he...
Do I have Seasonal affective disorder?
A couple months ago I moved from the coast of Southern California to Portland, Oregon. Ive lived in Southern California my whole life, so the move was pretty big. I love Portland, but recently ive been feeling horrible for no real reason. Just like dreading every hour of the day .. Can't say my lifes perfect, but I would never think to complain. Im just concerned because depression runs deep in my family, so im really hoping im not having early signs of that.. Im thinking I might have SAD. Has anyone ever experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) ? What can you tell me about it? What are some symptoms you experienced? How long will I be like this? What can I do? Ive research it over and over again, but can't find first hand accounts of people that have experienced it. I don't mean to complain, Im sure I can deal with SAD fine, I would just feel more comfortable knowing I wont be like this forever. Thanks
Do i have seasonal affective disorder?
well i've just started back at school, the summer holidays just passed me by. i do get to feeling quite low all year, seeing as i have low self esteem. like, i have a group of friends, and apart from them i don't speak to anyone else or i feel uncomfortable around them. but i don't think it's due to anything like hormones that much, i just think it's part of who i am.. or it feels like it is :/ anyways, it's winter again now, and it's just dawned on me. all of a sudden, i feel just like i did last winter. only this time it's different. i feel like i've been plunged into darkness, and into the past. i feel like i'm living a winter day from when i was like 6 when i lived in my hometown. for some reason its actually quite disturbing. it's just been this past hour of so. i have this sudden feeling of despair and loneliness. like i've gone back again to all the winters before to find nothings the same. the people who were here winters before aren't. and i'm not a little girl anymore. (i'm 14) i hate feeling like this. apart from my low self esteem and the fact i do feel sad sometimes, i'm actually quite a happy person. apart from when i cut my self that time, last winter. i didn't mean to, it was like a spur of the moment thing. i juss took a piece of glass and slashed my arm, and i wasn't even that sad. psycho! but i don't think i'll do it again. anyways can someone suggest anything for me to do? apart from get out more, but that doesn't help me that much. help please? thankss in advance =] peace.
How do I know if I have seasonal affective disorder?
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV and DSM-5, its status was changed. It is no longer classified as a unique mood disorder but is now a specifier called with seasonal pattern for recurrent major depressive disorder that occurs at a specific time of the year and fully remits otherwise.You might have major depressive disorder.The essential feature is the onset and remission of major depressive episodes at characteristic times of the year. Formerly known (DSM-IV) as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), in most cases, the episodes begin in fall or winter and remit in spring. Less commonly, there may be recurrent summer depressive episodes.This pattern of onset and remission of episodes must have occurred during at least a 2-year period, without any nonseasonal episodes occurring during this period. In addition, the seasonal depressive episodes must substantially outnumber any nonseasonal depressive episodes over the individual’s lifetime.This specifier does not apply to those situations in which the pattern is better explained by seasonally linked psychosocial stressors (e.g., seasonal unemployment or school schedule).Major depressive episodes that occur in a seasonal pattern are characterized by:Prominent energyHypersomniaOvereatingWeight gainCraving carbohydratesIt is unclear whether a seasonal pattern is more likely in recurrent major depressive disorder or in bipolar disorders. Age is also a strong predictor of seasonality, with younger persons at higher risk for winter depressive episodes.From : Depressive Disorder with Seasonal PatternBy Johnna Medina, M.A.~ Less than a minute read as in PsychCentral
How do you cope with seasonal affective disorder?
I absolutely hate winter and the grey skies. It's so despressing. Try guided imagery. There are CDs out there for relaxation/mediatation purposes. Get one where the person talks you through the "imagery" Many will talk about peaceful, warm, sunny beaches! This does help. Also there are special lights sold to mimic the spectrum of the sun. These also help. I try to do things outside (shop, doctor's appt, etc) on days when it's not TOO COLD. Then when it's totally unbearable i try to stay indoors, and do activities I find entertaining. Or, when possible have company over.
Why is phototherapy an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
a)Phototherapy exposes the individual to bright light, which subconsciously encourages the mind to think of positive memories and emotions. b) SAD is caused by the body’s reaction to low levels of light during the winter months, and this can be remedied by daily exposure to bright light. c) The winter months encourage nostalgia and reminiscences because of the dreary atmosphere, and phototherapy significantly changes the atmosphere. d) Artificial daylight induced by phototherapy affects the nerve endings of the skin, which send signals to the brain that trigger a pleasant sensation.
What does it feel like to have seasonal affective disorder (seasonal depression)?
It's like your battery is slowly draining. At first, the differences are imperceptible; you sleep a bit more, you're not as quick, you find yourself becoming more cynical and negative. If you suffer inordinately from seasonal depression, you probably experience the flip side: seasonal mania. This is especially true if you live in a northern latitude (mine is 47), with long sunny days in the summer and short, dark days in the winter.I live in Seattle, which doesn't get a ton of clear days. During the winter, it's typically drizzly and overcast, which exacerbates the darkness and general depressive vibe.At some point, right around Thanksgiving, you realize it's set its claws into you. I don't feel sad, not at all. But I do feel like my mind has slowed down considerably. I'm not as quick with recalling information. I move and speak more slowly. I sleep more and find myself procrastinating about meals. There's a flashpoint with me. I love milk, but when it starts tasting bland rather than sweet, I know seasonal depression has set in. It's not just milk, that's just my barometer. Most food seems to lose its flavor; depression blunts the taste buds. I usually lose about 5 pounds over the winter. Not that I'm complaining about that, but lack of enjoyment of food is a definite and clear sign.I'm more easily distracted and find myself getting irritable and anxious during the winter. I get more tongue-tied when I talk. And for the most part, I feel a little numb; less of an active participant in life, more of an observer. A cynical one at that.I don't take antidepressants, but I have in the past. I started on them about the time they came out (about 20 years ago). In my opinion, antidepressants don't work so well in the absence of sunlight, and at this point in my life I don't want to ingest any pharmaceuticals that don't offer real benefit. I do take oral Vitamin D, even in the summer, which helps a bit. I've tried light therapy, which has been less helpful for me. The best thing for SAD is a nice vacation in the sun. This is how I can tell I'm sensitive to the change in sunlight exposure; after a few days on the beach I can feel my energy levels surging. Second best thing is exercise and a super-healthy diet. At this point in my life, I also feel I've gotten pretty good at sucking it up and powering through. Faking a smile, faking a positive attitude, remembering that what I'm feeling is not necessarily reality; that it's been clouded by, um, clouds.