Mental HealthUnderstanding Seasonal Depression

What is Seasonal Depression

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is completely different from clinical, non-medical depression, but sometimes, they can still be treated through the same types of treatments. Most people with SAD experience symptoms on a continuous basis, though it is not uncommon for them to notice their first symptoms during the summer.

This type of mood disorder is characterized by excessive sadness over short periods of time. The person affected may feel depressed all the time, although they may be able to enjoy some fun activities such as taking a long walk, going out dancing or watching the television. However, there is a sudden and intense depression that occurs most of the time. Some people with SAD feel depressed all the time but may have occasional light periods.

Signs of Seasonal Depression

Signs of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also called winter blues, include:

• social isolation
• low energy
• lack of interest in formerly enjoyable hobbies
• poor memory
• weight gain
• poor concentration
• decreased ability to think clearly

Signs of Seasonal Depression may also include a change in one’s appearance, including increased sweating, irritability, increased heart rate and feeling depressed all the time. A person suffering from this form of depression may have trouble getting along with other people at work and at home. They may also notice changes in their appearance, as their skin may become dry or chapped or look dull. Some people may also be less active and have difficulty falling asleep, which can lead to insomnia. This condition may also lead to depression if it continues for a long period of time.

In some cases, the cause of SAD may be stress, major depression, cause to say “I hate my life” or a traumatic experience that was recently experienced. Other causes include medication, certain diseases, illness, trauma, alcohol abuse and substance abuse, among others.

If you are experiencing any of these signs of seasonal affective disorder, it is important to contact a mental health provider immediately. You do not need to live with the symptoms of depression for long, as there are ways to treat it. There are many different treatment options available and they depend on how severe the depression is and how long it has been going on.

How to Help Your Seasonal Depression?

The good news is that depression can be easily managed through various forms of therapy. Depression medications are available and many people who suffer from this type of depression can find relief from their symptoms through psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy can help with the symptoms of depression medications. Psychotherapy is a form of treatment that is used to help the person suffering from this disease get better understanding their thoughts and emotions. To treat this condition, the patient will go to a counselor and talk about what is happening in their mind. They will learn techniques to help them manage their feelings and thoughts.

Mood medications are another form of treatment that is commonly used to help depression sufferers feel better. It does not cure the depression entirely, but it can help the patient to reduce the symptoms of this condition. Depression is a serious condition, so it is important that you do not ignore signs of depression until you have tried several forms of treatment before trying any antidepressants. Once you have tried depression medication, it is best to continue your treatment and get to the root cause of the problem.

Depression and Substance Abuse

People who suffer from seasonal depression are often at risk of developing serious medical problems including alcohol and drug addiction, suicide attempts, and other psychiatric illnesses. Depression poses many serious risks such as physical injury, self-mutilation, suppressed immune system, lowered immune system, and weaker body, thereby making the person susceptible to serious physical illness. But proper treatment programs will help a person to avoid the negative effects of depression and drug and alcohol abuse and help them make a more normal and happy life. To overcome these obstacles, one needs to be aware of the many facts regarding depression and addiction, including the 10 signs of relapse.

This post has been sponsored by AddictionNow