Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatments
For many who live in the northern regions of the United States, the end of summer feels like the beginning of a long, cold, dreary stretch of winter. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that is linked with the seasons. This form of depression is also called winter depression or the winter blues. Usually the symptoms begin when the seasons change from fall to winter, then go away in the late spring and summer.
A less common form of SAD is summer-onset depression. This is opposite of winter-onset, where depression begins in the late spring or early summer then goes away by the fall and winter.
Symptoms
Many people with winter-onset affective disorder feel like going into hibernation as winter approaches. As the season progresses, the symptoms worsen.
Typical symptoms include loss of energy, fatigue, tendency to oversleep and change in appetite, especially a craving for sweets and starchy foods high in carbohydrates. Other symptoms include depression, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, lack of interest in activities you usually enjoy and withdrawal from social interactions.
Summer-onset affective disorder symptoms share similar symptoms as winter-onset disorder, such as anxiety and irritability. However, instead of oversleep sufferers often experience insomnia. They may also lose weight, have poor appetite and experience an increased sex drive.
Cause
Seasonal affective disorder is thought to be related to the seasonal changes in daylight and the body's circadian rhythm. A circadian rhythm is a biological process that regulates how your body works over a 24-hour cycle. It acts like an internal clock that regulates when to sleep, level of brain activity and hormone production.
As winter approaches, the amount of daylight decreases. This disrupts the internal clock, affecting the time and duration of sleep.
The body's production of melatonin and serotonin also decrease as the amount of sunlight decreases. Melatonin is a hormone important for regulating sleep, and serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical produced by the brain) that is linked with sleep, mood, appetite, sexual desire and function, memory, learning and temperature regulation.
Light Box Therapy
Bright-light therapy is an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder. It mimics outdoor light and helps to reset your body's circadian rhythm. Bright-light therapy uses a special high-intensity light box. You sit in front of the light box each morning for 30 minutes to two hours. Using the light box every day will get you through the winter until the springtime, when more natural sunlight is available.
Dawn Simulation Therapy
Dawn-simulation therapy mimics the gradual increase of light in the early morning while you are sleeping. It is like getting your own sunrise every morning at the same time every day through the winter. Dawn-simulator devices use a timer and electronic system, which you can adjust to come on at the time of the morning that works for you. Intensities vary from twilight to shaded sun.
Antidepressants and Melatonin Treatment
Antidepressant medication is an effective treatment for some people with seasonal affective disorders. Antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin XL, can improve symptoms of SAD relating to sleep, mood, appetite, concentration and anxiety.
Since melatonin levels in the body decrease in the winter, melatonin medication can also be an effective treatment for SAD. When taken at the correct time of the day, melatonin can help to reset your circadian rhythm.
Negative Ion Therapy
Negative-ion air generators are devices that increase the amount of negative ions in the air. High levels of negative ions naturally occur at the ocean beach or right after a thunderstorm. During the winter months, the levels of negative ions are low. Increasing negative-ion levels can help improve seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
Behavioral Therapy
Some simple changes in your daily activities can make a difference in your symptoms. For example, you should exercise regularly to reduce stress and anxiety and to improve your mood. You should also get outside during the fall and winter months. Exposure to daylight, especially when it is sunny, will help. Daily exercise, outside during the day, is an excellent combination. You can also improve your symptoms by eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest and refraining from caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
Tags: affective disorder, circadian rhythm, effective treatment, fall winter, negative ions