Dealing with the Depression Called SAD

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a form of depression characterized by a seasonal pattern. It appears and disappears during the same time every year— often during the winter when daytime is shorter.

Some of the most common symptoms of SAD are low energy, changes in moods, sleep, and eating pattern. The person may also have a difficult time concentrating and become less interested in socializing. Although these symptoms are not fatal, they can affect self-esteem and make the person feel isolated, lonely, and disappointed.

Basically, there are two hormones involved in SAD: melatonin and serotonin. The former is associated with sleep. It is produced in higher quantity when the days are shorter which makes the person feel sleepy and lethargic. The latter, on the other hand, may cause depression when on a low level. It only increases when the person is exposed to sunlight. With this information, you can now have an idea why people with seasonal affective disorder often feel low during the winter months.

About six in every 100 Americans experience SAD. The risk of having it depends on several factors such as brain chemistry, individual biology, environment, heredity, and life experiences. Just like other forms of depression, some people are prone to it than others.

When dealing with seasonal depression, it is important to always ask help from a mental health specialist. He or she is the only person who can perform a thorough checkup and evaluation of the symptoms. It is very vital to first rule out other medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms, lest, the root cause would not be properly addressed and condition may aggravate.

Oftentimes, treatments for SAD come in three forms: phototherapy, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy. However, there are other simpler and natural techniques in coping with the disorder. Two of the most effective are yoga and meditation.

Yoga and meditation are great when it comes to dealing with seasonal depression because they are not only effective; they are a lot cheaper too! With both methods, you will learn how to get rid of anxiety and stress which are the main triggers of the depression. When you are free from stress and anxiety, you can veer away from depression too.

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