What Are The Signs Of Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) seems to be a type of depression. It does not seem to be a constant condition. Instead, patients may only experience it during one season. The most common season for this condition appears to be the winter. Patients may notice their symptoms start in the fall and worsen during the winter. However, they may disappear at the end of winter. Although winter may be the most common time for seasonal affective disorder, cases seem to have appeared in the spring and summer as well.

Common depression treatments may also be helpful as treatments for seasonal affective disorder. Some patients find success with mediation for depression. It seems that psychotherapy for depression also treats this condition. Alternative therapies for depression may also be used. One example appears to be light box therapy for depression. Patients typically need to have a special seasonal affective disorder lamp if this method has a chance at working. Of course, an understanding of their symptoms may increase the effectiveness of their SAD treatment.

Issues Concentrating

Patients may deal with issues concentrating due to this condition. Seasonal affective disorder seems to make it harder for them to absorb information and focus. This appears to be quite similar to other types of depression. Issues concentrating may end up causing job performance problems. This symptom seems to affect students as well, and they may have problems paying attention in class. Missing assignments appear to be common. Their grades may be quite low too.

At home, patients may find it hard to finish daily tasks. Their concentration may mean falling behind on household chores. They may not put as much effort towards other parts of their life where they once did as well.

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Low Energy

One of the first symptoms of this condition seems to be low energy. It may be the only sign for some patients. Low energy may start in the fall. The lack of energy and fatigue may worsen as the days get shorter. It appears that this symptom occurs due to the lack of direct sunlight in the winter. The patient's brain may find it harder to stay awake. However, this symptom should disappear once winter has ended.

Patients may try light therapy for this symptom. Special lamps should mimic the effects of direct sunlight. However, these lamps do not seem to treat vitamin D deficiencies. Unfortunately, a lack of vitamin D can be a trigger for seasonal affective disorder. This may be because a strong source of vitamin D is the sun.

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Oversleeping

It appears that patients with seasonal affective disorder can trigger oversleeping. This condition may disrupt a patient's overall sleeping pattern as well. Affected individuals seem to be unusually sleepy during the day. They may not wake up fully in the morning. However, patients tend to sleep more overall despite this. They appear to fall asleep earlier due to the sun setting earlier. The dark mornings seem to make it especially hard for individuals with this condition to wake up. They may not feel the same motivation to do so as individuals without this condition. Oversleeping can occur even if patients choose to set an alarm. Seasonal affective disorder patients may also need to nap regularly during the day. Nightmares may also compromise their sleep.

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Feelings Of Depression

Some doctors may refer to this condition as seasonal depression. Part of this is due to feelings of depression being one of the possible symptoms. This condition may result in patients feeling upset, fatigued, irritated, hopeless, apathetic, and sad. Unfortunately, it appears that the emotional effects of seasonal affective disorder can be quite debilitating. This seems to make it similar to other forms of depression. The effects may subside after one season. However, they may be severe during that time.

Patients may be at a high risk of suicidal thoughts. The feelings of depression appear to have a significant negative impact on their quality of life. This seems to be because many patients cannot find enjoyment in their life. Thus, treatment for this condition appears to be critical.

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Lose Interest In Activities

Many individuals with this condition seem to lose interest in activities that they once enjoyed. Sometimes a brief loss of interest can be normal. Normal feelings also mean being uncertain about an activity temporarily. However, repeated or prolonged losses do not appear to be normal. Seasonal affective disorder patients may lose interest in these activities for the whole season. They may not feel the same passion or drive. Individuals appear to struggle with remembering why they enjoyed these activities. Thus, they may not put effort into them anymore. This can lead to isolation when the activities that they enjoyed were social ones. Some treatments for depression seem to be helpful here, including psychotherapy and antidepressants.