He Seasonal affective disorder Is a very common condition that affects people of all ages and is characterized by a sense of sadness and discouragement.
By the end of autumn, the days begin to be noticeably shorter and temperatures drop, and you begin to feel sad, discouraged.
Fortunately, there are many treatments you can follow to relieve your symptoms.
Characteristics of Seasonal Affective Disorder
This condition is also known as"winter depression"because it is precisely a type of mild depression that usually appears when winter begins.
Many people think that it is simply a change of mood or seek other explanations for their emotional alterations, however, it is about Of a disease and as such should be treated.
Specialists claim that the cause of this particular type of depression is the lack of sunlight. Hence it occurs more frequently in the winter And especially in those countries in the northern hemisphere that have very long winters.
It does not seem to be a coincidence that in those same countries, those of greater latitude, are registered a greater amount of suicides.
It is estimated that around the world, 6 out of 100 people suffer from seasonal affective disorder. As with other types of depression, it affects more Women than men.
Causes of affective disorder
It seems that this type of depression Could be caused by a variation in the secretion of certain hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain.
When the temperature starts to drop and there are fewer hours of sunlight, the concentration of certain substances in the brain, such as Serotonin and the Melatonin for example, could vary and trigger the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
Melatonin level
The Melatonin Is a hormone produced by Pineal gland . This hormone is responsible for regulating the sleep cycle. When it is out of normal levels, it generates different types of disorder. One is directly linked to seasonal depression.
During the winter you are naturally less exposed to the sun than during the summer. In conditions of low temperature and darkness, the body secretes greater Amount of this substance, and this could cause mood alterations and make you feel drowsy, not wanting to do anything.
Serotonin level
This is a neurotransmitter that plays a very important role in almost all types of depression. During the winter and due to the scarce exposure to sunlight, the amount of serotonin in the body decreases. When this happens, you may feel more sad and distressed.
Many medications Antidepressants Act by regulating serotonin levels in brain .
Alteration of the biological clock
Like all people, you have a circadian rhythm, which is the one that lets you know when you need to sleep and when you have to get up. At the beginning of the winter the levels of sunlight diminish significantly and this rhythm can be altered. In certain people this causes feelings of anguish and depression.
It is unknown why this condition appears in certain people and not in others, but this is certainly related to certain Factors specific to each person, factors that have not yet been discovered.
Although it is much less frequent, there is also a type of seasonal affective disorder that appears in summer.
How To Know if You Have Seasonal Affective Disorder
The symptoms that a person manifests with this type of disorder, are very similar to those of other types of depression. However, sometimes it is more Difficult to diagnose it because the fact that it happens at a particular time of the year is very confusing.
Suppose you have been carrying out your activities in a completely normal way. You are even excited and motivated by the prospect of new Projects and activities in your life.
However, the end of autumn is approaching and you begin to feel different. You yourself do not understand what is happening, but the Discouragement and only think about staying at home and sleeping. When winter sets in, things get worse. Then it is very likely that this type of depression Is affecting.
More specifically, a person suffering from seasonal affective disorder experiences the following:
Sudden changes in mood
One person seems to be fine, and the others do not notice anything particular, but suddenly he begins to look more irritable. Usually she is annoyed by situations that previously went unnoticed. It is very noticeable the marked feeling of self-criticism in people who suffer this type of depression.
Low energy
Although the person is very responsible, when he begins to suffer from this disease, he does not have enough willpower to carry on normally with his commitments.
In the case of students, there may be a decline in academic achievement. If you work, also in your work environment will be reflected this lack of Energy.
Sleep Disorders
One of the characteristic symptoms of this picture of depression is the change in the sleep cycle. Without understanding why, you feel drowsy during the day and at the same time you have great difficulties to fall asleep in the times in which you usually did. Here you can find some of the most common sleep disorders.
Change in eating habits
Generally this type of depression generates a lot of desire to consume carbohydrates and sugars in general. The other types of food are displaced, and you can gain weight.
Reduction of social activity
If you have the famous winter depression, surely you no longer feel like meeting with friends or attending any social event. You start to make excuses for not going anywhere, because a depressed person does not want to share leisure time with other people.
If by the end of the winter the symptoms diminish or disappear, then surely it was the seasonal affective disorder.
In other cases it is possible that the symptoms are not alleviated, because the disease evolved towards chronic depression or other disorders. Hence the i Importance of following the evolution of these symptoms over time.
How Seasonal Affective Disorder Is Diagnosed
As with many other types of depression, this disorder is often confused with A mere state of sadness .
Even when it affects teenagers, they can be seen as young rebels who do not want to study or work. When these same young people no longer Feel like going out, especially with other young people, is when parents begin to worry.
When you go to a professional appointment, the first thing to do is to rule out pathologies such as hypothyroidism, mononucleosis, chronic anemia, Others. Any organic condition that shows similar symptoms should be discarded through clinical analysis and specific questionnaires.
The psychiatrist will be the one to finally diagnose this disorder, and it will be him who suggests the most appropriate treatment. Generally, and The treatment suggested by this professional, support with a psychological therapy can be very important.
Treatment Alternatives
Many of the treatments for seasonal affective disorder are the same as for other types of depression. However, each person is unique, and It is the professionals who determine the most appropriate treatment.
Among the main alternatives, and specifically for this type of depression, are the following:
Phototherapy
Because poor exposure to light is one of the main triggers of this disease, the compensation of this lack usually gives very good results.
In the case where the picture is mildly present, it may be sufficient for the person to spend more time in the open air.
Taking direct sun sessions, exerts an immediate effect. If the symptoms are acute and persistent over time, specific techniques are used. exposition.
In an"artificial"exposure treatment, the person is exposed for about 45 minutes to a radiation source similar to the solar. He The goal is for the retina to be absorbed by that radiation and the effect reflected in the brain.
This type of therapy usually lasts until summer arrives. In all cases, it is supervised by a physician, as it may present certain Contraindications. For example, people who have photosensitivity and their skin is attacked by exposure.
Psychotherapy
As in the treatment of other types of depression, Psychological therapies In their different currents can be of great help.
In this case, the psychologist is the one who determines the strategy to follow. This can vary according to the age, the intensity of the symptoms and other Characteristics of each patient.
Pharmacotherapy
It is possible that the psychiatrist orders antidepressant treatment, at least until summer arrives.
With this type of medication is sought to regulate the concentration of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain, which influence the mood of people.
Occasionally, and when abnormal pineal gland function is confirmed, the endocrinologist can also deliver specific medication. In In this case, this will fulfill the function of regulating the levels of melatonin and other hormones.
So you know, if you start feeling sad and distressed when winter comes, you may be suffering from this disorder and the best Is that you consult your trusted doctor.
What symptoms have you had and how have you overcome seasonal affective disorder? Your opinion will be of help to readers. Thanks!
References
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