Identifying SAD Symptoms
In the fall, do you dread the last leaf hitting the ground because of the dread of the coming long winter, shorter days, less sunlight and feeling depressed? If so, then you may be among the thousands of people who suffer from SAD each year. Symptoms of SAD tend to appear just as fall is ending and the cold and bleak winter months loom ahead. With shorter days and less exposure to sunlight, many people sink into a depressive mood until the first blades of grass appear in spring.
Some of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder that a person may experience include a change in eating habits, a change in sleeping patterns, loss of interest in activities they would normally take part in and even overwhelming fatigue that no amount of sleep seems to cure. From late September to December, these are the months when one or more of these symptoms may appear and for many, the symptoms get even worse as January drags on. Yet anyone suffering from this type of seasonal depression knows that their symptoms will disappear with the glorious days of spring, when the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter.
When you speak with your doctor, he or she should do a complete physical exam and go over your medical history. It is absolutely critical that you share your history and information with your doctor. You should follow his or her recommendations exactly so that you have a better chance of getting through the fall and winter months without the symptoms of SAD recurring. Your doctor will more than likely ask lots of questions pertaining to your moods, whether you have seasonal changes in thoughts and behaviors, what your lifestyle and social situation is like and inquire about your sleeping and eating patterns as well.
Light therapy is a fairly new therapy used for people who have SAD. It has been tested and compared to other medical treatments and it has been found that over half of participants responded better to light treatments than they did to medical intervention therapy. The big plus of a light treatment is that it is natural, with the benefit of no side effects to worry about, as is often the case with pharmaceutical drugs.
Diagnosing SAD can be difficult because symptoms of SAD can mimic other types of depressive mood-related disorders. Rest assured, though, that doctors have guidelines to go by, developed by the American Psychiatric Association, which guide them when diagnosing any mental health disorder. If you are confused by your doctor’s diagnosis or are not sure of his or her opinion, then you will certainly want to get a second opinion.
To learn more about the signs and treatment of all types of depression, visit Depression Help.
categories: SAD symptoms,SAD,seasonal affective disorder,depression,mental health